A new draft report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised serious concerns over the now-abandoned liquor policy introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi. The report, which was released just days ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, claims a staggering loss of ?2,026 crore to the public exchequer, sparking fresh controversy in the political arena.
The CAG's findings accuse AAP leaders of accepting "kickbacks" linked to the liquor policy, which was introduced under the leadership of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was also heading the excise department at the time. The report alleges that several key norms related to the issuance of liquor licenses were flagrantly violated, leading to significant financial discrepancies.
Key issues highlighted in the CAG report include:
- Massive Financial Loss: The 2021 liquor excise policy reportedly resulted in a loss of ?2,026 crore to the Delhi government, raising questions about the transparency and effectiveness of the policy's implementation.
- Violation of License Norms: The report reveals that the licensing process for liquor businesses was marred by violations, including the approval of bidders who were not financially capable of meeting the requirements. Despite their questionable financial standing, these entities were permitted to participate in the bidding process.
- Arbitrary Decisions: The CAG report further accuses the Delhi government of making arbitrary decisions without the necessary approval from the Lieutenant Governor, as mandated by the law. It is suggested that such actions contributed to the policy?s failure and the financial loss to the state.
The report also notes that Sisodia ignored critical recommendations from an expert panel, further undermining the credibility of the policy. This draft report has not yet been formally tabled in the Delhi Assembly, but it has already stirred political tensions, especially with the upcoming elections.
In response to the findings, political rivals of the AAP, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have seized the opportunity to demand accountability and an investigation into the alleged corruption surrounding the policy.
The timing of the report's release, just ahead of the Delhi elections, has added fuel to the ongoing political discourse, with many questioning its impact on the AAP's prospects in the polls.
