25, the legal drinking age!
By siliconindia   |   Monday, 06 June 2011, 16:19 IST
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25, the legal drinking age!
Bangalore: The Maharashtra government is coming up with new restrictions for hard core liquor drinkers. The state has decide to raise the legal drinking age to 25 to encourage responsible drinking but would it make sense when actually at a lesser age, individuals can vote, marry, drive and even fight for one's country? Such a move will only end up youngsters bribing, which will increase corruption and harassment. It will be a drill session for bars owners and other liquor establishments if this permit system is reconsidered as they need keep the excise department happy and the police officials. But surprising the police officials and the Excise department is against the raise of the age. Senior Maharashtra excise officials said that when the Central government itself is working on abolishing the permit system in all sectors, why the state government is trying to implement such restrictions. Taking a look at the past of how the permit system worked, it is observed whenever the police ran a ride on any bars or restaurants; an excise official was not present which is actually mandatory. And for a fact it is said that neither the excise department nor the police have enough staff to check if all youths have permits. Many excise department officials also admitted that, the move could cause a huge loss of revenue that the government earns from the liquor business. Karnataka had also imposed some harsh rules but took it off immediately when it saw the problems it was facing with the revenue. Chandrahas Shetty, advisor to Ahar ( Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association)said that "Each permit room has individual sections for eating and drinking, but it becomes difficult to separate the two. Four months ago, a family was eating dinner in a permit room when the police arrived to ask the man, who had a drink only by his plate, if he owned a permit. Like most, he did not. Right there, before his wife and children and other patrons, the police handcuffed him and took him to the lock-up. He was released the next day." He also pointed out that the airport is also a place which is populated with many bars and restaurants where people of all ages from every state enjoy drinks without hindrance, but the government has not imposed restrictions there. Thinking in a common man's point of view, everyday he is fighting against corruption and trying to meet his three days a meal with his limited budget plan, but the government priority is more towards controlling Young India's dietary habits. According to many, this a serious blunder committed by the prohibition minister and the permit has to be rethought before it is implemented.

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