Delhi government to revert to old liquor policy
New Delhi, July 30: In the midst of an ongoing investigation by Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and a face-off between Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government, the liquor policy row in the national capital has taken a fresh turn.
With just two days left for the current excise policy to expire, the Kejriwal government has decided to go back to the old regime of retail liquor sales for six months. The Excise Policy 2021-22, which was extended twice after March 31 for two months each, is set to expire on July 31.
The draft policy, however, has yet to be sent to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena for approval.
Last week, the strained ties between the Central govt and the AAP government in Delhi worsened last week when Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended a CBI investigation into the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, holding Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in-charge of the excise department, accountable.
Following this move, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reacted angrily to the Centre, accusing it of making "false allegations" and asserting that AAP leaders were "not afraid of jail."
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The Lt Governor's move came after a report submitted by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar on the matter. The report which was submitted on July 8, alleges that Sisodia provided undue benefits to liquor vend licensees in lieu of "kickbacks" and "commissions" and the money was used in the recent Punjab elections.
The Delhi Congress organised a protest on July 25 in front of the residence of the deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, calling for his resignation due to alleged rules violations and procedural lapses in Delhi's excise policy. In Patparganj, members of the Congress party gathered and shouted anti-Sisodia and anti-Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal slogans while holding banners.
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-PTC News
