Malhotra calls for change in liquor licensing policy

New Delhi, Oct 17 (UNI) Stressing on the need for a change in the liquor licensing policy in Delhi, Mr V K Malhotra today expressed concern that a large number of wine shops have come up in the capital in the past ten years of Congress rule.

''If the sole consideration for issuing licenses for wine shops is augmenting the revenues, then it is a highly deplorable development,'' he said in a letter to Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit.

''As soon as the BJP comes into power, the licensing policy of wine shops will have to be reconsidered and corrective action taken,'' Mr Malhotra, who has been named the BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate said.

He said any Government in power has first to think of a peaceful environment in the residential colonies, which includes keeping a check on unlawful elements. The already worsening law and order position in the capital needs prudent policies, rather than encouraging boisterous elements to take advantage of the situation, he noted.

It appears that the Delhi government was vying with the neighbouring Haryana, which is also a Congress ruled state, in opening the maximum number of wine shops.

Since the wine shops remain open till late hours in the night, these pose a grave danger to peace and the law and order in the residential areas. As soon as the BJP comes into power, the licensing policy of wine shops will have to be reconsidered and corrective action taken.

In his letter, Prof Malhotra has drawn the attention of the Chief Minister to the opening of a wine shop opposite DDA flats in Mount Kailash colony near Nehru Place area of the capital. He pointed out that the location of the wine shop which is within 50 yards of three schools and asked Ms Dikshit to issue most urgent orders to close this wine shop which is likely to infuriate the feelings of the residents, especially women in the area.

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