New Delhi sources have reported that underage drinkers have easy access to alcohol in Delhi as youth below 25 years of age are able to buy liquor at vends, bars and pubs without furnishing age proof, according to a survey. The legal drinking age in Delhi is 25 years and about 67% of the respondents in the age group of 18-25 years, purchased alcohol from liquor vends but were never asked for age proof, claimed the survey conducted by non-profit group `Community Against Drunken Driving (CADD)'.
Meanwhile none of the respondents were verbally informed
about the legal drinking age at the vends and bars. However, CADD founder
Prince Singhal said 97.3% respondents were aware of the age limit on
drinking. Accordingly the survey was conducted between June 1 and August 31
this year to assess the implementation of the Delhi excise law on the sale of alcohol to underage youngsters.
Singhal said "Government liquor vends, bars,
pubs, excise department, police, none of them check the age of consumers, not
only making a complete mockery of the minimum age law but also severely
fueling underage drinking and drunk driving which results in loss of life in
road accidents”.
