The Madras High Court today ordered issue of notice to Tamil Nadu Prohibition and Excise Department on a PIL seeking direction to authorities not to supply liquor to any person who has not completed 21 years.
K Balu, an advocate and President of Advocates Forum for Social Justice, in a PIL said a direction shall be issued to concerned authorities to implement the amended rule 11-A and condition 15-A in Form-1 of Tamil Nadu Liquor Retail Vending (in shops and bars) rules-2003, which was ordered by the Prohibition and Excise Department on September 30, 2004, not to supply or serve liquor to those below the age of 21 years.
He said in the case of doubt the Authorities shall demand age proof as per any of the Government records.
Because of private persons formed cartels and caused revenue loss to the state government, the Government itself took over the retail vending of liquor.
He said because of the increase in consumption of alcohol, problems like public disturbances, health oriented problems like cancer, cirrhosis, cardio vascular diseases, domestic violence, road accidents and occurrences of child abuse have been increased.
Quoting a report of The Indian Alcohol Policy Alliance, the petitioner said most Indians start drinking at the age of 28 years. It has come down to 17 years in 2013 and it may come down to 15 years by 2015.
While stressing the need of the Government to put the rules to its conclusive objective he said, no one could check and control young Indians from this grave endangerment. Hence he Prayed for a direction to the authorities to implement the rules preventing the people under the age 21 from consuming the liquor.
The First Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice R K Agrawal and Justice M Sathyanarayanan ordered issue of notice to Tamil Nadu Prohibition and Excise department.
