New Delhi, July 10: The Delhi High Court today issued notice to the city government on a petition challenging its new excise policy allowing sale of liquor in departmental stores. A bench comprising Justice Anil Dev Singh and Justice Mukul Mudgal issued notice on a petition filed by Selekh Chand Jain, who alleged that if sale of liquor was allowed through departmental stores, it would tempt minors to buy the same and have bad affect on school children. Government was asked to file reply by September 4.
Jain's counsel Sugariv Dubey said directive principles of state police, enshrined in the constitution clearly laid down that the government should discourage consumption of liquor, while the Congress government in Delhi had come up with "a unique policy to make it easily valuable to every one." The city government in its policy, announced on June 15, had said that sale of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) by private parties would be allowed and licence would also be given for opening of more shops for countrymade liquor.
The government said this was intended to curb smuggling and sale of spurious liquor.
Government, which hopes to generate additional revenue of Rs 770 crore by implementing the new policy, has decided to allow sale of beer by the departmental stores and serve liquor in farm houses and banquet halls under licence. Stating that consumption of liquor had adverse affect on the health of people, Dubey said instead of having control on its sale, government plans to open 70 new shops in the city where it would be easily available.

Bureau Report