Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday announced lowering the legal age to drink liquor in the national capital to 21 from 25. Deputy Chief said the decision was aimed at “stopping harassment of people and establishments”. He also said that no new liquor shops will be opened in Delhi.

“The legal age to drink in Delhi will now be 21. There will be no government liquor stores in Delhi. No new liquor shops will be opened in the national capital,” Sisodia said at a press conference announcing changes to the national capital’s excise policy.

“The new excise policy was approved by the Cabinet today on basis of the recommendations of the Group of Ministers. At present, 60 per cent of liquor shops in Delhi are run by the government,” Sisodia said.

“Government will ensure equitable distribution of liquor shops so that liquor mafia are thrown out of the trade. A revenue growth of 20 per cent is estimated after the reforms in the excise department,” he added.

As a part of reforms, the Delhi Government will likewise set up an international standard test framework by which it will keep a watch on low- quality alcohols and stop their dispersion. An international quality lab will be set up to test the quality of alcohol coming into the city.