Delhi Liquor Policy: Rs 2,002 Cr Loss | CAG Report

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

• Delhi liquor policy resulted in Rs 2,002 crore revenue loss: CAG report.
• Chief Minister Rekha Gupta tabled the report in the Assembly, AAP MLAs protested.
• Several AAP leaders arrested in the liquor policy scam, financial irregularities exposed.
• Violations in awarding licenses, lack of transparency, and deficiencies in quality control.
• BJP government to table 14 pending CAG reports in the Assembly.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

The implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Liquor Policy initiated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi resulted in a revenue loss of Rs 2,002 crore. This revelation comes from a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). Chief Minister Rekha Gupta tabled the report in the Delhi Assembly. During this, AAP MLAs protested, leading to their suspension. The Delhi liquor policy is surrounded by several irregularities.

Liquor Policy Scam and Arrests

The liquor policy scam (Liquor Policy Scam), marked by financial irregularities, led to the arrests of top AAP leaders, including party chief Arvind Kejriwal, his former deputy Manish Sisodia, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, and former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain. The case is serious and under investigation.

BJP Government’s Stance

The BJP government in Delhi has announced that it will table all 14 pending CAG reports during the ongoing Assembly session. This reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The Delhi Liquor Policy has been a point of constant attack from the BJP against the Aam Aadmi Party.

Irregularities Highlighted in the CAG Report

The CAG report highlights several irregularities, including violations in awarding licenses, lack of transparency in pricing, and deficiencies in quality control.

• Violations in Awarding Licenses: The Kejriwal government failed to ensure the implementation of Rule 35 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, which prohibits the issuing of multiple licenses.
• Lack of Transparency in Pricing: The CAG report states that an analysis of the price and sale of certain Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) brands revealed that discretionary ex-distillery pricing (EDP) led to a decline in sales, resulting in a loss of revenue.
• Deficiencies in Quality Control: The report notes several instances where liquor test reports did not comply with the specifications mentioned under the Bureau of Indian Standards. Crucial test reports on water quality, harmful elements, heavy metals, methyl alcohol, and microbiological substances were not submitted for various brands.

Other Key Findings

The report also mentioned that the Excise Department granted waivers to some licensees against its own stance, leading to further revenue loss. Additionally, incorrect collection of security deposits from zonal licensees resulted in a shortfall of Rs 27 crore. The report led to a major uproar in the Assembly. Twelve legislators, including former Chief Minister Atishi, were suspended for the day. The Delhi Liquor Policy has caused significant revenue losses.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• Rs 2,002 crore revenue loss due to the Delhi liquor policy.
• CAG report reveals violations in licensing and lack of transparency.
• Arrests of top AAP leaders in the liquor policy scam.
• BJP government to table 14 CAG reports in the Assembly.
• Uproar and suspension of AAP MLAs in the Delhi Assembly.

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