Atishi Defends Delhi Liquor Policy

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Atishi defended the Delhi government’s liquor policy, calling it transparent.
The CAG report praised the decision to scrap the old policy.
Atishi accused the BJP of hindering the policy’s implementation.
The new policy aimed to double revenue, but CBI investigations caused disruptions.
Atishi dismissed allegations of funding election campaigns with illicit proceeds.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

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Former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has defended the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) liquor policy. Accusing the BJP, she stated that critics rely on “BJP HQ pointers.” In an exclusive conversation with India Today TV, Atishi explained that the high revenue target set under the now-scrapped excise policy was not met because the central government hindered its implementation. The Delhi liquor policy has been at the center of much debate, with Atishi insisting the policy was sound.

Atishi mentioned that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, presented in the Delhi Assembly, actually commended the AAP government’s decision to eliminate the old liquor policy.

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Shifting blame to the BJP, Atishi argued that the high revenue target set under AAP’s new excise policy was not met due to the Centre hindering its implementation.

“The CBI filed an FIR right in the middle of the policy implementation,” Atishi said in an exclusive conversation with India Today TV. She asserted, “The CAG report clearly says that the new policy brought in by the Aam Aadmi Party government was more transparent, was going to put an end to the sale of liquor in black and would have increased government revenues.”

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She said that those blaming her party for the significant loss to the state’s exchequer “have only read the pointers that have come from either the BJP headquarters or the Prime Minister’s office.” Allegations suggest that the Delhi liquor policy resulted in losses to the state.

Defending the scrapping of the old liquor policy, Atishi said it was necessary as it was being “manipulated”.

“In the old excise policy, the pricing was being manipulated. There were a lot of black sales of liquor and smuggling happening from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Hence, that policy needed to go,” Atishi explained. The old policy had issues with illegal activities and pricing discrepancies.

Justifying the new liquor policy, Atishi highlighted its revenue potential. “The excise revenue in 2020-21 was Rs 4,100 crore with the old liquor policy. With the new liquor policy, the projected revenue was two times more. It was Rs 9,000 crore,” she stated. The new policy aimed to significantly boost state revenue.

Delhi Assembly’s Leader of the Opposition further claimed that the new liquor policy helped in preventing smuggling of liquor into Delhi and the under-the-table sale of liquor, thus, bringing more revenue to Delhi.

“Now, why was this liquor policy, which has led to thousands of crores of increase in revenue in Punjab… why did it not lead to the same revenue increase in Delhi?” asked Atishi. The policy’s success in Punjab raised questions about its failure in Delhi.

Atishi also blamed the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the CBI, and the ED for derailing the new excise policy, alleging that cases were filed against key AAP ministers, including Manish Sisodia and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, at crucial moments during its implementation.

“Obviously, the liquor policy could not be implemented after an ED and CBI FIR has been filed,” she told India Today TV. The investigations disrupted the implementation of the liquor policy.

Atishi further dismissed allegations of proceeds of crime being used in the funding of Goa and Punjab election campaigns by her party.

“Nothing like this is in the CAG report,” she said.

The CAG’s “Performance Audit on Regulation and Supply of Liquor in Delhi” was the first of 14 reports that were tabled by the Rekha Gupta-led BJP government on Tuesday.

Following an uproar over the development, at least 21 AAP MLAs, including Atishi, were suspended from the House for three days. The Delhi liquor policy continues to be a contentious issue, with further revelations expected in the coming days. The controversy extends to include allegations against AAP leaders.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

Atishi defended the Delhi liquor policy as transparent and revenue-generating.
The CAG report supported the AAP government’s decision to scrap the old policy.
The BJP was accused of hindering the policy’s implementation.
The new policy aimed for ₹9,000 crore revenue, but CBI investigations disrupted it.
Atishi dismissed allegations of illicit funding for Punjab and Goa elections.