New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the Delhi Excise Policy has sparked controversy, revealing a ₹2000 crore loss to the Delhi government under the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration. The BJP-led central government tabled the report in the Assembly, highlighting irregularities in the 2021-22 liquor policy.
According to the CAG, the Delhi government suffered a revenue loss of ₹941.53 crore due to the policy, ₹890.15 crore in license fee waivers, and another ₹144 crore in exemptions granted to licensees. The report criticized the lack of expert consultations, ignoring complaints during bidding, and failing to impose penalties for violations. The policy, introduced by the then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s government, was withdrawn within months following backlash, leading to investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Both Kejriwal and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia were jailed in connection with the case but later secured bail.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Assembly saw high drama as 12 AAP MLAs, including opposition leader Atishi, were suspended for protesting allegations that portraits of B.R. Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh were removed from the Chief Minister’s office.
