AAP govt's decision of not...

AAP govt's decision of not granting new liquor licences to restaurants & malls, as a policy decision till this financial year, is people's victory

Press Note, Swaraj Abhiyan, 09-Oct-2016

Swaraj Abhiyan
​Press Release​
​October 06, 2016​

• AAP govt's decision of not granting new liquor licences to restaurants & malls, as a policy decision till this financial year, is people's victory.

• Although a welcome step, it is evidently clear that the announcement is guided by immediate political considerations in Punjab rather than any genuine concern for the people of Delhi.

• In coming days, Swaraj Abhiyan will expose a scam in the name of granting liquor licences to malls.​

Delhi | It has come to our knowledge through media reports that the AAP govt has directed it's excise department not to grant new liquor licences to restaurants & malls, as a policy decision over till this financial year. Although a welcome step, it is evidently clear that the decision is guided by immediate political considerations in Punjab rather than any genuine concern for the people of Delhi. The govt has told that the announcement will be in effect only till March 31, which clears all doubts about the AAP government's real intent. Swaraj India demands that Delhi's excise policy be determined by what is best for the people of Delhi, not by political concerns of a party's election campaign in a different state.

It would not be surprising if the Aam Aadmi Party leadership may have already planned to get the decision legally challenge by liquor lobby and then put a weak case in the court. A tacit understanding between the liquor lobby and Aam Aadmi Party govt, which have played hand in gloves in the 18 months of power, cannot be ruled out.

Swaraj Abhiyan has exposed and completely cornered the Aam Aadmi Party for its policy of encouraging alcoholism in the national capital. It was brought to public notice that the AAP government which came to power on the promise of de addiction has granted an alarming 399 liquor licenses in just 371 working days.

In reaction to the mass campaign and various public hearings in Delhi conducted by Swaraj Abhiyan, the chief minister Mr. Kejriwal was earlier forced to approve the policy that no new licences will be provided for opening of private and government run liquor shops during the current financial year, but then kept out the L10 licences for shops in malls.

However, now the excise department has been directed to not issue any licence till further orders to even applicants for shops in malls and restaurants. In coming days, Swaraj Abhiyan