The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Central government following a petition urging the establishment of a stringent protocol for age verification at liquor sales outlets across the country. The bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, has scheduled the next hearing in three weeks, highlighting the urgency of addressing underage alcohol consumption and its repercussions.
The plea, filed by the NGO ‘Community Against Drunken Driving’ through advocate Vipin Nair, stresses the need for a comprehensive policy that ensures strict adherence to age-related statutes at alcohol distribution points. According to the existing excise policy, consuming or possessing alcohol below a certain age is illegal; however, the petitioner argues that the enforcement of these laws is lax, particularly at points of sale and consumption.
Furthermore, the petition voices strong opposition to the proposed doorstep delivery of liquor, a convenience that could potentially facilitate easier access to alcohol for minors, thereby accelerating the onset of drinking habits among the youth. The NGO suggests severe penalties for any violations, including a fine of Rs 50,000 or a three-month jail term, or both, for those selling or serving alcohol to minors.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the plea refers to data from 2017 indicating a 20% rise in accidents due to drunken driving. Research supported by the petition claims that drunken driving accounts for over 70% of road accidents in India, resulting in more than 100,000 fatalities annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) corroborates the increasing trend of alcohol consumption in India, noting a significant 38% rise from 2010 to 2017.
The plea also seeks a directive for all alcohol-serving outlets to meticulously verify and maintain records of consumers, implementing a biometric age verification system using government-issued identity cards. This measure aims to curb the alarming rate of underage drinking, which not only leads to drunken driving but also aggressive behavior, violence, and other serious social issues.
