Over 210 in net for drinking in open

More than 200 people have been arrested in the past six days for illegally consuming liquor at public places. The arrests have been made under the Delhi government's drive against open drinking in the city.

Lauding the efforts of the Delhi Government Excise Department, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia asked them to continue with the drive, which kickstarted on November 7, so that this menace which is taking a toll on the families and safety of women can be checked.

On Saturday, 35 violators were arrested in various parts of the city, while 26 were arrested on Friday for illegal consumption of liquor in the open, taking the total number of arrested persons to 210 in six days.

The action is being taken against the violators under the Delhi Excise Act and they have been handed over to the police for further action as per law.

The Delhi government had announced a three-fold action plan for crackdown on illegal consumption of liquor and violation of the Excise Act.

A week-long awareness drive was launched in this regard recently after which arrests are being made.

The government had earlier said that anyone caught drinking publicly will have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and anyone creating nuisance in public will be fined Rs 10,000 and face arrest.