New Delhi, March 28: Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated in the Assembly on Friday that the recently annulled excise policy has been scrutinized in a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). This report highlights what Sirsa describes as “deliberate manipulation of policy” during the tenure of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He emphasized that the findings indicate the previous government altered policies for political gain, ultimately harming both the public and the government. Sirsa insisted on the need for accountability in such serious matters to prevent future discrepancies.
Sirsa pointed out that the CAG report and comments from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reveal significant lapses across multiple departments, with the excise policy being the most notable example. “The CAG report clearly shows that this was not a policy error but a deliberately crafted scheme,” he stated. He noted irregularities spanning various sectors, including education, health, transport, and electricity, but highlighted the excise policy as the most significant case of financial irregularity and policy manipulation.
According to the report, Delhi incurred a revenue loss of approximately ₹2,000 crores between November 17, 2021, and August 31, 2022, attributed to the flawed policy and undue advantages granted to select private players. Sirsa explained that structural changes in the policy increased the dominance of a few companies in the market. The number of wholesalers was reduced from 77 to just 13, with three companies controlling nearly 77.7% of the Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) market.
The minister also raised serious concerns about the financial credibility of several companies that were awarded licenses in high-value sectors, some of which had negligible or negative income histories. He mentioned that a decision to grant a ₹144 crore waiver on license fees during the pandemic was made despite objections from the finance and excise departments, leading to substantial losses.
“No individual, regardless of their position, is above the law. The citizens of Delhi have the right to transparency and justice. Those who misuse public resources must be held accountable before the law,” Sirsa asserted. He also accused Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party of attempting to replicate similar liquor scandals in Punjab as seen in Delhi.
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My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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