CHANDIGARH: The UT excise and taxation department on Friday slapped a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each on two eateries for serving liquor to youths below the age of 25 years.They are Barbeque Nation , Sector 26, and Purple Frog, Sector 26. Earlier, the department had issued challans to outlets found violating rules.As per Punjab Excise Act, 1915, Section 23, the liquor consuming age in Chandigarh is 25 years. Presently, a majority of hotel, restaurants and bars, do not ask youngsters about their age.Hotelier and restaurant owners have raised objections to the drive. Chandigarh Hospitality Association president Ankit Gupta said it firmly believes and promotes responsible drinking. “It is at the age of 18 that our Constitution provides for a person to vote and drive, the choice to responsibly drink should be with the individual who has attained major age. The existing law is archaic and dents Chandigarh’s image of a tourist destination, which saw a surge after the Unesco world heritage status,” he said.‘Excise inspections hurting biz’The association had submitted that inspections conducted by the department were affecting their business. Despite paying tax on every drink, they were facing hurdles by the department, they had submitted.On September 18, the department had slapped a penalty of Rs 20 lakh on 11hotels and nine liquor vends (Rs 1 lakh each) for violating UT excise policy 2018-19.While eight hotels were serving 2 plus 2 drinks, two were serving 1plus 1and one was serving 3 plus 1, to customers. They advertised these offers through an online food delivery application on the festival of Rakshabandhan.Besides, one hotel was serving liquor to youths below the age of 25 years. In addition, seven liquor vends were fined as liquor stock was lying at the vend premises without hologram. Meanwhile, one liquor vend was fined as vend was found opened before 9 am.

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