No licences to new liquor vends this year, says Kejriwal

Swaraj Abhiyan calls the move as its first major victory

The Delhi government has announced that no new liquor vends would be given licences this year.

The decision by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal comes at a time when Swaraj Abhiyan has been attacking the AAP government for allowing 72 new liquor shops and issuing 217 licenses for bars since coming to power.

Kejriwal told reporters that mohalla sabhas will be empowered to recommend closure of liquor vends if the colony residents complain about “nuisance”due to these shops.
“Drinking liquor in public causes nuisance and also makes women feel unsafe. So we have taken these two decisions,” Kejriwal said.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the process to decide on shutting a shop will be initiated once 10 per cent voters of a mohalla sabha submit a written complaint.
“If two-third members present in a meeting decide to shut down a shop then it will have to be shifted. But even then, the members of the area where it is to be shifted will have to approve any such move,” Sisodia said.

The Swaraj Abhiyan recently held a public hearing in Kotla Mubarakpur in south Delhi over a liquor vend opposed by the residents.

The break-way group of the AAP is also circulating on the social media video clips of Kejriwal’s pre-poll speeches in which he promised to close liquor vends opposed by the local residents.

Reacting to Kejriwal’s decision to put a cap on number of licensed liquor vends, Swaraj Abhiyan called it the fledgling political group’s “first major victory”.

“The question still remains why the Delhi government, which came to power on the promise of Nasha-Mukt Delhi, has shown such enthusiasm and alacrity in encouraging alcoholism in the national capital,” said Swaraj Abhiyan’s statement.

Kejriwal earlier highlighted his government’s decision to hike minimum wages, claiming it will give a boost to the economy by increasing the consumption among the low income groups.

“Policies have to benefit the poor. There will be an escalation of cost, no doubt, but in the middle term and long term it will benefit everyone when money will reach the middle class and poor,” Kejriwal said.

The ruling AAP's trade wing has warned of a strike in Delhi in case the decision to raise wages is not withdrawn.