Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 11: A new report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which leaked on Saturday, accuses the AAP government, led by Arvind Kejriwal, of bypassing rules and regulations while drafting its controversial Excise Policy. The report highlights significant losses to the exchequer, amounting to over Rs 2,026 cr.

The explosive findings come just weeks before Delhi’s February 5 Assembly elections and reveal serious violations, including lack of transparency in pricing, improper issuance and renewal of licences, failure to penalize violators, and the government’s failure to seek approval from the Lieutenant Governor (LG), cabinet, or the assembly.

The report notes a loss of Rs 890 cr due to the government’s failure to re-tender surrendered retail liquor licences and an additional Rs 941 cr lost due to exemptions granted to zonal licensees.

The report also alleges that the group of ministers, led by minister Manish Sisodia, ignored recommendations from an expert panel and permitted disqualified entities to bid for licences. Despite the AAP’s denial of the authenticity of the report, the findings come amid corruption and money laundering cases involving top officials, including Kejriwal and Sisodia.

With Delhi’s assembly elections on the horizon, these findings are expected to heighten the political temperature, as the AAP, which currently holds 62 seats in the 70-member assembly, seeks to secure a fourth consecutive term.