A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has revealed a revenue loss of Rs 2,026 crore to the exchequer due to alleged irregularities in the implementation of the now-scrapped liquor policy of the Delhi government. The liquor policy, introduced in November 2021, was pitched as a game-changer for Delhi’s liquor retail market. It aimed to increase revenue and simplify the liquor trade. However, the policy's promises were overshadowed by allegations of corruption and financial irregularities. The CAG report also suggests that the policy failed to meet its objectives, with key recommendations from an expert panel ignored by the Group of Ministers (GoM) led by then-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
BJP president J P Nadda claimed on Saturday that the CAG report on the Delhi government's excise police 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 be voted out and punished for its misdeeds. He alleged, "CAG Report on 'Liquorgate' exposes Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party Gov. Intentional 'Lapses' in Policy Implementation. Rs 2026 Cr Loss to Exchequer money."
"We have been continuously saying that the CAG report should be tabled as soon as possible. I have also received some information from social media, according to which the loss of Rs 2,000 crores to the ex-checker has been directly caused by this liquor deal," said Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav. The said CAG report has not been officially released as yet but its purported content have been reported in some sections of the media.
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