With a view to tightening up the law and order around the liquor shops in the city, the Delhi Government has now made it mandatory for all liquor vends operating in the Capital to install closed-circuit cameras (CCTVs) outside the shops that will keep a check on the movements in the vicinity.
As per the Excise Department of the Delhi Government, the installation of the CCTVs outside the liquor shops has been made a prerequisite for the renewal of licence of the shops from the next financial year. The Government would not consider renewing the licence required for their continued operation in case of default.
Further, the CCTV camera is required to cover a minimum distance of 50 metres and the licensees are required to keep the recording of 30 days in order to get the renewal done. An official of the excise department said that coverage of 50 metres in the vicinity of shop by CCTV will record all sorts of activities around the liquor sale point, which would act as a deterrent to those who often create trouble or misbehave with women.
“Installation of CCTV camera system having coverage of 50 metres and archival period of 30 days is must for the renewal of licence,” the official said. He said that through CCTV cameras activities can be monitored outside the liquor shops. The Government had also given powers to SDMs (Sub-Divisional Magistrates) to prosecute those indulging in open drinking.
Women of Delhi hailed this move as a necessary step for their safety. “Often people park their vehicles outside the shops on the road and start drinking inside the car. They also play loud music and harass women passing by. CCTV will definitely keep a check on such activities,” said Kavya, a 35-year old house wife in Delhi.
The Excise department order came in the backdrop of Delhi Government launching a drive in November 2016 against public drinking and said that consumption of alcohol in the open, particularly near liquor vends and in vehicles, was not merely a safety hazard but also a major problem for women’s safety in the national Capital.
last month, the Delhi Government in its move to keep a tap on the sale of spurious liquor and to plug other loopholes mandated all liquor shops to not to sell alcohol without scanning the bar codes. This order of Delhi Government excise department was to come into force after February 15. Some of the liquor shops in the national Capital, allegedly, in order to make extra bugs, sell illegally imported liquor from adjoining Haryana without scanning the bar code.