NEW DELHI: Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has recommended an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the contentious Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 over violation of rules and procedural lapses.
As per officials, the Arvind Kejriwal government extended undue financial favours to the liquor licensees, causing huge losses to the state exchequer.
The recommendation comes weeks after Delhi chief secretary Naresh Kumar submitted a report to LG Saxena on the Delhi Excise Police 2020-21.
“Prima facie, it was a violation of GNCTD Act, 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR), 1993, Delhi Excise Act, 2009, and Delhi Excise Rules, 2010 in addition to deliberate and gross procedural lapses to provide post tender undue benefits to liquor licensees for the year 2021-22,” the recommendation sent to the CBI stated.
As per sources, the allegations are majorly made against Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia who was also the in-charge of the excise department.
It further stated that Sisodia took and got executed major decisions and actions in violation of the statutory provisions and the notified excise policy that had huge financial implications.
As per the LG’s recommendation, Sisodia extended undue financial favours to the liquor licensees much after the tenders had been awarded, which caused huge losses to the exchequer of the Delhi government.
Video: BJP leader @HarishKhuranna on @LtGovDelhi's recommendation for CBI inquiry into Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22
Says Delhi Govt violated tender rules including allotting liquor shops to blacklisted companies@AlokReporter reports pic.twitter.com/GTqjKCX1Tu
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) July 22, 2022
Since its introduction, Delhi BJP leaders have been raising objections to the provisions of the Delhi excise policy, alleging that the AAP government not only benefitted liquor mafias but also opened liquor shops in every lane of Delhi.