The Karnataka Excise department withdrew its proposal to reduce the minimum age to buy liquor from 21 to 18 after objections were raised by the public, associations as well as the media.
Bengaluru,UPDATED: Jan 19, 2023 10:38 IST
The minimum age to buy liquor in Karnataka will continue to remain 21. (File photo)
By India Today Web Desk: After encountering objections to the draft to lower the age limit to purchase liquor in Karnataka to 18 years, the ruling BJP government decided to withdraw the proposed amendment and continue with the 21-year threshold.
The Karnataka Excise department stated that this decision was being made in view of objections raised by the public, associations as well as the media, reported news agency Press Trust of India.
Section 36(1)(g) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, prohibits the sale of liquor to persons under the age of 18 years. However, as per Rule 10(1)(e) of the Karnataka Excise (General Conditions of Licences) Rules, 1967, the sale of liquor to persons below the age of 21 is prohibited, the department said in a release.
The department said that the move was made to remove this contradiction relating to age in the Act and the rules. A period of 30 days was given for objections or suggestions from persons likely to be affected with respect to the said draft rules.
“In consideration to the objections raised by the public, associations and media with respect to the said draft rules lowering the age limit from 21 years to 18 years…the draft rules published to amend Rule 10 (1)(e) of the Karnataka Excise (General Conditions of Licences) Rules, 1967 and substitute the words eighteen years for the words twenty-one years, has been withdrawn with immediate effect,” said the release put out by the Karnataka Excise department.
(With inputs from PTI)
