Delhi: CAG Report Says AAP's Liquor Policy Led To Rs 2,002 Crore Revenue Loss

🃏A Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report tabled by the BJP-led Delhi government on Tuesday revealed that the implementation of the controversial and now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy by the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government caused a massive revenue loss of rupees 2,002 crores.

ꦆOn Tuesday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta tabled the CAG report in the Delhi Assembly as AAP MLAs opposed its presentation, leading to their suspension. The BJP-led Delhi government was set to table a total of 14 CAG reports detailing the performance of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the Delhi Assembly today.

CAG Report And Delhi Liquor Policy Scam

ꦆIn 2024, the controversial Delhi liquor policy scam highlighted massive monetary irregularities which 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.

According to India Today🏅, the CAG report tabled by Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on the liquor policy revealed that the AAP-led Delhi government faced a revenue loss of approximately rupees 890 crore due to failure to re-tendering surrendered licenses, while the delayed action led to losses worth rupees 941 crore due to exemptions granted to zonal licensees.

ꦚMoreover, another finding suggested that a 144 crore waiver was granted to licensees for the period between December 28, 2021, and January 27, 2022, citing Covid-19 restrictions.

𝕴The CAG noted that this waiver went against the Excise Department's own stance, leading to further revenue loss. Additionally, incorrect collection of security deposits from zonal licensees resulted in a Rs 27 crore shortfall.

𓃲As per the report, there was also no provision for licence holders to give advance notice before surrendering, which led to supply disruptions. Meanwhile, the government also issued more licences without checking the requirements related to the Excise Terms and Conditions, the report claimed.

𓂃"It was observed that licences were issued without ensuring solvency, submission of audited financial statements and data regarding sales, and verification of criminal antecedents," the report further added.

12 AAP MLAs Suspended

𝓰Delhi leader of opposition Atishi was among the 12 AAP MLAs who were suspended for a day in the Delhi Assembly session on Tuesday. As per reports, the 12 AAP MLAs were suspended for a day for sloganeering during LG VK Saxena's address.

♑Among the suspended MLAs are - Atishi, Gopal Rai, Sanjeev Jha, Vishesh Ravi, Anil Jha, Jarnail Singh, Veer Singh Dhingan, Mukesh Ahlawat, Chaudhary Zubair Ahmed and more.

ℱThe opposition uproar also raised the issue of the removal of photos of Dr BR Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh. After 12 MLAs were suspended and expelled from the house, AAP moved its protest outside the Vidhan Sabha.

This uproar from the Aam Aadmi Party comes after the BJP 🦄government stated it would table 14 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports during the three days the Delhi assembly will be in session.