The fate of liquor shops located in residential areas will now be firmly in the hands of those living near it with the Delhi government announcing on Tuesday that a vote by residents will be enough to close down neighbourhood vends.
In a statement, the government said that residents would be able to decide whether they want liquor shops in their area to be closed and relocated.
If residents say that the presence of a liquor shop is creating a nuisance in the area, then the vend will be shut.
Residents can approach their area MLA with complaints, after which a meeting of district administration and residents, or residents’ welfare associations, will be called to hold a vote.
Shops in Rohini
After holding a vote and a hearing, the area police and the Excise Department will give their reports and begin the process of closing down the shop.
As per the statement, this process was followed by residents of Rohini Sector 16 and 17 when they approached Rithala MLA Mohinder Goyal with complaints against two liquor shops.
The MLA called a meeting with local administration, residents and other stakeholders at the office of the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) on Monday.
The residents then voted for the closure of the shops, after which the local station house officer and the Excise Department were asked to submit reports to the SDM.
