Age 25+ Now a Must: Delhi Government Orders Tougher ID Checks at Liquor Serving Venues

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Delhi government has issued a new directive to operators of hotels, clubs, and restaurants (HCR) serving alcohol, requiring them to verify the age of their customers using hard copies of government-issued identity proofs. This move comes after several violations of the city's legal drinking age norm, which states that liquor can only be served to those aged 25 years and above.

Recent inspections by the Delhi Excise Department revealed that some establishments were serving alcohol to customers younger than 25 years, and in some cases, underage individuals were found using fake or edited digital IDs to bypass the rules. The department also received complaints about some licensed vendors serving alcohol to people pretending to be over 25.

As per the Delhi Excise Act, 2009, it is illegal to sell or deliver liquor to anyone who appears to be under the age of 25. In response to the violations, the Excise Department has instructed all license holders to verify the age of their customers using physical identity cards (excluding those saved on mobile phones, except those in the Digilocker portal), in order to curb the use of fake IDs.

Additionally, the department has launched a broader initiative to combat drug abuse in the city. As part of a new anti-drug campaign aimed at making Delhi drug-free in the next three years, all HCR licensees are now required to take an e-pledge on the department's official website and display the pledge certificate prominently at their establishments. The campaign also encourages licensees to raise awareness among their staff and customers about the dangers of drug use.

The directive highlights the importance of following legal drinking age norms, as violations invite action under the Delhi Excise Act. The move is part of a broader push to ensure public safety, prevent underage drinking, and promote a healthier, drug-free environment in the city.