Chief of Opposition within the Delhi Meeting and senior Aam Aadmi Occasion (AAP) chief Atishi on Tuesday cited a Comptroller and Auditor Common (CAG) report back to defend the celebration’s now-scrapped excise coverage, claiming that the earlier liquor regulation was marred by corruption and smuggling.
The CAG’s efficiency audit report, titled Efficiency Audit Report on Regulation and Provide of Liquor in Delhi, was tabled within the Delhi Meeting’s first session on Tuesday. The report highlighted lapses within the excise division, resulting in income losses exceeding Rs 2,026.91 crore.
Addressing a press convention, Atishi alleged that interference from the BJP-appointed Lieutenant Governor (LG), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) obstructed the implementation of the brand new excise coverage, leading to an annual income lack of Rs 8,900 crore.
Allegations of Corruption in Previous Coverage
In keeping with Atishi, seven out of the eight chapters within the CAG report expose flaws within the previous excise coverage, whereas just one focuses on the brand new coverage.
“The AAP authorities at all times raised considerations about corruption within the previous excise coverage, which facilitated unlawful liquor smuggling. The report reveals that liquor store homeowners engaged in corrupt practices, inflating costs and inflicting heavy losses to Delhi’s exchequer,” she stated.
She additional claimed that the brand new excise coverage, launched by the AAP authorities, was extra clear and had the potential to considerably increase income assortment, just like Punjab, the place excise income reportedly elevated by 65% after implementing the identical coverage.
Atishi alleged that the brand new coverage was not applied successfully as a result of exterior interference.
“The BJP’s LG stopped the implementation, creating hurdles. The CBI filed an FIR inside a 12 months of the coverage’s launch, and the ED registered an enforcement case data report (ECIR) quickly after. This led to a state of affairs the place no officer was keen to signal or execute the coverage, fearing authorized motion. Consequently, Delhi misplaced Rs 2,000 crore in anticipated income and Rs 8,900 crore yearly,” PTI quoted Former Delhi CM as saying.
She known as for an investigation into the roles of the LG, CBI, and ED in blocking the coverage.
The excise coverage difficulty stays a serious political flashpoint in Delhi. Whereas AAP leaders argue that the coverage was designed to spice up income, the BJP has accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led authorities of irregularities. The continued Meeting session is predicted to witness additional debates on the matter.
(With PTI inputs)
