Drinking age reduced to 21!

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• Dec 23, 2021 | moderator

Chandigarh: The Haryana Assembly passed an amendment to the Haryana Excise Act, thus reducing the drinking age in the state from 25 to 21 years.

The Amendment Bill states that the prevailing socio-economic conditions have drastically changed allowing various provisions being incorporated in the Excise Act. Now there are more educated people who are rational enough to understand their responsibilities and know their limitations while being a responsible drinker. Hence, citing the various provisions and conditions prevailing, the Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2021 has been passed, thus reducing the minimum age of 25 years as provided in Sections 27, 29, 30 and 62 of the Haryana Excise Act, 1914 to 21 years.

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Taking the example of Delhi, V K Beniwal, deputy commissioner of excise and taxation, Gurugram (east), called the legislation passed by the Haryana Assemble as a “good move”. Pubs and bars have equally welcomed this decision and think this will help in their business as well.

Meanwhile the deputy commissioner thinks that this decision will help underage patrons to now drink legally after the finalization of the age bracket.

“A law that existed since the British Raj in 1914, has now been finally amended. Extremely happy on this significant change by the Haryana government. By reducing the drinking age, the government is helping in lowering the numbers of illegal consumption,” said Rahul Singh, trustee, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI).

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“If people can get married at 21, cast their vote, why can’t they be allowed to drink at 21? It is a progressive step on the part of the Haryana government, and I wholly welcome this step,” said Ashish Dev Kapoor, founder, Whisky Samba bar and grill.

With nearly 60 percent of the states and 8 union territories following this age bracket of 21 as the legal age for liquor consumption, only Punjab, Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli continue to follow the 25 years age rule for legal liquor consumption.