The Delhi Government on Thursday informed the Delhi High Court that it had decided to introduce a Bill in the winter session of the State Assembly to carry out an amendment to the Delhi Intoxicant (Sales and License) Rules, 1976, to increase the fine amount from a paltry Rs.200 at present to Rs.10 lakh for those bringing out liquor advertisements.
Counsel for the Government submitted before a Division Bench of the Court comprising Chief A.P. Shah and Justice S. Muralidhar that the proposal to amend the rules had already been approved by the Union Government.
The proposed Bill would include provisions for fine or imprisonment up to six months or both for violating the rules, counsel submitted.
Counsel further submitted that the Government had taken this decision with the intention to curb consumption of liquor in the Capital.
The Government had earlier this year withdrawn licences given to certain petrol pumps in the city to sell liquor as part of its policy to restrain consumption of liquor.
The Government made the submission before the Bench in response to public interest litigation seeking directions for action against an English weekly magazine for carrying advertisements of a liquor brand which according to the petitioner was in bad taste.
The petitioner submitted that the existing amount of fine for violation of rules was so small that it would not deter violators from bringing out liquor advertisements again and again.
The petitioner, an NGO called Nirmal Sahara, also urged the Court to pass directions for putting in place a regulatory body to regulate the media carrying out unpalatable advertisements as there was no regulatory body to monitor it, but the Court refused to pass any order on it.
The Bench later disposed of the petition.
