CBI should probe Delhi government's excise policy - LG

The tussle between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Bharatiya Janata Party is increasing. The controversy that started with the central government not allowing CM Kejriwal to go to Singapore has reached the Lieutenant Governor's office in Delhi. A few days ago, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had rejected Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's application, in which he was seeking permission to go to Singapore. The ongoing dispute between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor is now also taking a new form. In fact, now the Lieutenant Governor has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry for violation of rules and procedural lapses in the Excise Policy 2021-22 of the Delhi government.

Officials said on Friday that the recommendation for a CBI inquiry has been made on the basis of the report submitted by the Delhi Chief Secretary earlier this month. This report prima facie reveals violations of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, 1991, Business Transactions Rules, 1993, Delhi Excise Act, 2009 and Delhi Excise Rules, 2010.

The new Excise Policy 2021-22 was implemented from November 17 last year, under which retail licenses were given to private entities bidding for 849 contracts in the city divided into 32 divisions. Many liquor shops could not open. Many such contracts were sealed by the Municipal Corporation.