Should liquor be sold in malls?

Statistics show that Mumbai has more liquor vends and may be similar situation exists in other metropolises in the country when it comes to availability of brands and decent environment.

Delhiites, however, have mixed reaction to the recent government decision to allow liquor outlets in shopping malls, after years of restricted sales in government-run ill-maintained liquor shops.

"We oppose the decision. It would only encourage the liquor consumption among younger generation. Restaurants are already serving liquor. There is no need for opening of shops in malls, where frequents visitors are families. There are other ways of revenue generation," says Ranjana Kumari, chairperson, Centre for Social Research (CSR).

Social activist Swami Agnivesh, agrees, "No government should promote liquor in the name of revenue generation. This is totally against our culture and values. Secondly, liquor is the main source of destruction amongst the lower section of society who are poor. The government should concentrate first on providing safe drinking water."

Mall owners, however, feel that the move will ensure better environment for purchasing alcohol. "I welcome the decision. Finally, people in the capital will be able to buy

liquor in a decent environment," says Arjun Sharma, director, Select CityWalk, a mall in south Delhi.
The Delhi cabinet earlier this week cleared the Excise Policy for 2009-10, that allow liquor vends to set up shop in malls. The outlets would be allowed to display and sell Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and imported beer.

The government would open 54 new IMFL vends and another 29 country liquor vends, taking the number of IMFL vends in Delhi to 468 and country liquor vends to 122.

"Liquor is a very looked down upon commodity in our country. But the decision to open shops in malls will surely help in changing the mindset of people, who are mature enough

to take it as just another product. If families don't mind going to restaurants or five star hotels who serve liquor, I don't think it will create any problem to them. It will also add to revenue," says Raghuraj Kanudia, India Head, Single Malt Whisky Society.

The government has also cleared the proposal to increase the prices of country liquor in the national capital, saying the new rates will fetch an additional revenue of Rs 35 crore (Rs 350 million) in the current fiscal. The Delhi government earns about Rs 1,100 crore (Rs 11 billion) in excise revenue from liquor sales every year.  Delhiites have mixed views on the issue. While some think that it will be replication of the local liquor shops and may disrupt the mall culture, others are excited that they can now shop for liquor along with other items without any form of reserve.

For 25-year-old Mauli, a regular visitor to malls in Rajouri Garden, malls are a safer place to hang around with friends. "But now these malls may turn into a heaven for regular drinkers," she says.

Alok Kumar, a businessman, says, "Not all people who drink are miscreants. The new policy will allow us to entertain in a completely new atmosphere. Buying liquor is not a sin or taboo. We will not have to go to other shops to buy it. We can have it in our shopping baggage with books, clothes and other commodities."