All over the Indian capital, the sound of metal shutters being pulled down at off-licences has left drinkers high and dry.
The dry spell, expected to last until 1 September, is the result of Delhi’s government scrapping a new alcohol policy that would have allowed private companies to operate off-licences.
Drinkers have been at the receiving end of U-turns by the city’s government, run by the Aam Aadmi party (AAP). A few months ago, government-owned liquor outlets were deluged after offering hefty discounts for the first time: buy one, get one free, and 50% off on every kind of alcohol.
The unprecedented discounts were being offered because shopkeepers had to deplete their stocks before the new policy came in.
The AAP was poised to get out of the business of running off-licences and hand them over to private owners. The new shops were to be modern and well-lit, unlike the dingy hole-in the-wall shops where alcohol used to be sold, and they would be open until 3am. The legal drinking age was to be reduced from 25 to 21.
Credit: theguardian.com
