Delhi reduces legal drinking age to 21 from 25; restaurateurs cheer move

Lowering the minimum age from 25 will lead to an estimated 20 per cent rise in liquor consumption

In a bid to raise the amount of excise duty collected from liquor sales, the Delhi government has lowered the legal drinking age in the Capital to 21 years, from the earlier 25. It will also shut down government-run stores, which currently account for close to 60 per cent of the 850 outlets serving consumers. 

The move is expected to benefit restaurant and pub owners, apart from opening up new business opportunities for private liquor store businesses.

Manish Sisodia, deputy chief minister of Delhi, announced at a press conference that a new excise policy has been approved by the Delhi Cabinet on