All these years, Delhi has been following the outdated Punjab Excise Act 1914. Now, they have got a new law. The main change in the law is a heavy increase in the fine for the public drinking.

On Monday, the new law came into effect. The legal age for drinking remains 25, although the law brings down the age to 21 years for the person who can be served liquor. In five-star hotels, the law allows women bartenders.

For drinking the liquor in public places, the fine has been increased from the Rs. 200/- to Rs. 5000/-. While drinking in public, if nuisance is created a person, the fine doubles to Rs. 10,000.

On the premises of liquor outlets, if a person allows drunkenness, he can be fined up to Rs. 50,000/-. The radius where liquor cannot be sold has been extended from 75 meters to 100 meters, around religious places and schools.

The act has been sharpened the teeth of the excise department to crack down on the incidents of fake liquor being made, as per Delhi finance Minister, Mr. A. K. Walia. He added that to put an end to the consumption on liquor in public places, the act will be used.