Who are the economic boosters of India?

 

The Delhi government's decision on Monday to reduce the drinking age in the city from 25 to 21. This decision also replaced its 2009 version of excise policy with a new one. The AAP govt said that this decision will be beneficial for the economy as it will generate revenue and overhaul a labyrinthine tax system. 

It was noted that the drinking age in neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana is 21 years, a lot of Delhi youth, who wanted to drink, went to the satellite cities of Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, Gurugram and Ghaziabad. Now, this revenue will remain in Delhi observed the Deputy CM who also said that the privatisation of liquor stores has bought competition in the market and also gave a good environment for families and women to take a stroll inside the shops. 

After the reforms are implemented, the government expects revenues to go up from about Rs 6,500 crore to around Rs 8,500 crore. It is said to be implemented within three months. After the recommendations are approved, the policy and rules will have to be drawn up, after which it will be notified. 

But would this lead to an increase in alcoholism among the youth? Many people get introduced to alcohol in their late teens when they are finishing high school and entering college. During college, usually, there is a binge-drinking culture. Easy access to alcohol could further inspire the youth to consume alcohol irresponsibly. Binge drinking in the early ’20s can alter your brain functioning, especially for men. Although the policy has stated that It will introduce age gating, or checking of age proof at establishment whereby those under the age of 21 will not be allowed to enter places that serve liquor. But in our country, the awareness about the dangers of alcoholism is very less. 

Movies show alcoholism as a very suave thing that impressionable youths can take in the wrong way without realising the difference between cinema and real life. Often under peer pressure, one indulges in heavy drinking and later develop multiple health issues. Often these issues wreak havoc in one’s life. Alcohol can reduce our cognitive decision. One might see the incidents of drunk driving cases rise. Alcohol is often called the gateway to other addictions like smoking and illegal drugs. 

Different states in India have different drinking age limits. Does that mean youths of different states become responsible at different ages? Clearly not. Then why does this nonuniformity prevail? Proper research and awareness as to what is the correct age for someone to have legal access to alcohol. This age should be uniform across the whole country. Alcohol is not something to be considered as just a way to increase the revenue of the country. If the youth become a danger to society then it will be an even greater loss for the country.