golden palasyo Delhi Excise Policy: BJP Alleges CAG Report 'Exposes' Kejriwal; AAP Asks 'Where Is It'
Updated:2025-01-13 03:00 Views:197
CAG report on Delhi excise policy exposes Kejriwal, claims BJP Photo: PTI CAG report on Delhi excise policy exposes Kejriwal, claims BJP Photo: PTI
The Comptroller and Auditor General in one of its report has allegedly exposed that the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government's now scrapped excise policy projected a loss of Rs 2,026 crore. As per Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, the agency also revealed that the AAP government ignored the violations made by experts and is now not tabling the report in the assembly to 'hide its misdeeds'.
BJP leader Anurag Thakur told a press conference the CAG report has arrived at 10 major findings about the policy, which was scrapped by the AAP government amid a row, asserting that former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will have to answer the questions it has raised.
The Delhi government introduced the excise policy on November 17, 2021, but decided to scrap it in September 2022 due to corruption allegations.
The policy divided the city into 32 zones, and licenses were given through open tenders to open 849 liquor stores.
As per reports, the government also allowed two liquor stores to open in wards with non-conforming areas, mostly in unauthorised colonies.
Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with alleged corruption related to the excise policy, which was later scarpped.
Both were released on bail after spending several months in jail.
Also Read | Delhi Excise Policy Case: LG VK Saxena Says Yes To Arvind Kejriwal's Prosecution By ED, Say Reports
What Did CAG Report Say?
The said CAG report has not been officially released as yet but its purported content have been reported in some sections of the media.
But according to India Today the report highlighted certain violations of law and they are -
The CAG report reveals a revenue loss of Rs 2,026 crore to the exchequer due to alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi government's now-scrapped liquor policy.
The report highlights significant lapses, policy deviations, and violations in issuing liquor licences.
The policy failed to meet its intended goals, with allegations that AAP leaders benefitted from kickbacks.
The Group of Ministers (GoM), led by then-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, ignored recommendations made by an expert panel.
All entities, even those with complaints, were allowed to bid for licences. The financial health of bidders was not scrutinised, and licences were granted or renewed to entities reporting losses.
"When Pakistan is not playing cricket or hockey, I always support India. It's a much better side and one of the best Indian teams I have seen. They have improved a lot and they are giving hard times to the Europeans.
Violations under the policy were deliberately not penalised.
Key decisions related to the policy were made without Cabinet approval or the approval of the Lieutenant Governor. The new rules were also not tabled in the Assembly for ratification.
Some retailers surrendered their licences before the policy’s expiry, and since these were not re-tendered, the government incurred a loss of Rs 890 crore.
Several changes to the policy were made without following the official procedure or seeking necessary approvals.
What Is BJP Alleging?
BJP president J P Nadda claimed the CAG report has exposed intentional lapses, leading to a loss of Rs 2,026 crore loss to the exchequer.
Nadda said on X, "Intoxicated by power, high on misgovernance. 'AAP'DA model of loot in full display and that too on something like liquor."
He said it is just a matter of a few weeks before the AAP government is voted out and punished for its misdeeds.
He alleged, "CAG Report on 'Liquorgate' exposes @ArvindKejriwal and @AamAadmiParty Gov. Intentional 'Lapses' in Policy Implementation. Rs 2026 Cr Loss to Exchequer money."
Also Read | What Is The Liquor Policy Case In Which Arvind Kejriwal Was Arrested?
At his press conference, Thakur asked who will be the chief ministerial face of the Aam Aadmi Party as it has been left with no "honest face".
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Kejriwal cannot become chief minister, he said.
The former Union minister said the AAP's journey over the last 10 years is of scams and sins. It has delivered liquor scam and "sheesh mahal" instead of fulfilling the promises related to schools, sanitation and self government.
Its eight ministers and 15 MLAs ended up in jail, he said, adding that Kejriwal and Sisodia were also incarcerated.
The CAG, he said, has fixed accountability, putting the AAP government in the dock for ignoring expert opinion, allowing bidding despite complaints, not penalising violations and not following transparency in framing the excise policy.
AAP Hits Back
When asked about the BJP allegations, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh questioned the report's existence. He pointed out that the BJP itself kept saying, "No CAG report has been tabled."
IANS quoted Singh saying, "Where is the CAG report? Do you have a copy of it? Where did this CAG report come from? Is the CAG report made in the BJP office? Where is the CAG report? The BJP members are flustered, mentally disturbed, and shouting anything at the crossroads. Should we respond to every word they say? On one hand, they say the CAG report hasn't been tabledgolden palasyo, and on the other, they say the CAG report has arrived. What exactly are the BJP people trying to say?"
