new delhi the liquor industry has welcomed the delhi governments new excise policy saying it is progressive and in line with current times and existing reality the new policy would improve consumers purchase experience like upgrading of retail shops as well as steps to improve ease of doing business it said on monday the delhi government approved a new excise policy which had lowered the legal drinking age to 21 from 25 years it had also withdrawn the government from running liquor vends in delhi according to the government the move is expected to lead to annual revenue growth of 20 per cent advt diageo india which owns united spirits ltd said the new excise policy is progressive we welcome the many consumerfriendly measures including bringing the legal drinking age in delhi at par with neighbouring states the introduction of agegating at restaurant and bars equitable geographic spread of retail outlets in the state and 100 per cent private retail diageo india managing director and chief executive officer anand kripalu said the governments mission to tackle the scourge of the illicit liquor trade will ensure the safety of citizens while minimising revenue losses of the government he added homegrown imfl manufacturer radico khaitan said the delhi governments decision to lower the legal drinking age is now on par with most of the indian states the drinking age in the neighbouring state of uttar pradesh is 21 years young adults would often purchase liquor from neighbouring cities such as noida and ghaziabad which would divert the revenue now this revenue will remain in delhi the company said moreover with the establishment of many more premium liquor shops it will also be more convenient for women consumers to purchase as many are generally reluctant to go to the regular retail shops it added advt the confederation of indian alcoholic beverage companies ciabc which represents the domestic liquor makers said it wholeheartedly welcomes all steps that bring the excise policy in line with current times and existing reality which includes reducing the drinking age it also welcomes all measures that improve consumers purchase experience like upgrading of retail shops as well as steps to improve ease of doing business so far we have got the broad framework only and are waiting for details but we believe that if the same thought underpins the policy details all stakeholders will have reason to raise a toast to this transformative move ciabc directorgeneral vinod giri said all india brewers association aiba said it was a good policy and was recommending the government to take such steps for years this is a very clear policy and we as an industry support it aiba directorgeneral shobhan roy said aiba represents 83 manufacturing breweries including united breweries carlsberg bira and molson coors pti published on mar 24 2021 at 1144 am ist telegram facebook copy link be the first one to comment comment now comments comment now read comment 1 all comments post post find this comment offensive