Delhi Assembly Extends Session Amid CAG Report Revelations on Liquor Policy

The Delhi Assembly session has been extended to review a CAG report uncovering missteps in the Excise Department's handling of liquor policy. The report, assessing 2017-2021, highlights over Rs 2,000 crore in losses and observance failings, as BJP takes governmental reins after a decisive electoral victory.

The Delhi Assembly session has been prolonged by two days, now concluding on March 1, following the tabling of a CAG report by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta of the BJP government. The report scrutinizes the Delhi Excise Policy and highlights financial losses due to regulatory oversights.

The 'Performance Audit on Regulation and Supply of Liquor in Delhi', examining 2017-2021, reveals substantial discrepancies in liquor supply and regulation. The audit indicates that fiscal lapses linked to the 2021-2022 excise policy inflicted a loss exceeding Rs 2,000 crore on the state government.

This report, one among 14 deferred CAG audits targeting the preceding AAP administration, points to the Excise Department's negligence in enforcing Rule 35 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010. This includes failure to prevent multiple license issuances to associated parties, raising critical questions about departmental compliance.

The audit highlights unauthorized license issuances, lacking verification of solvency, financial disclosures, and sales data. The BJP's resounding assembly election victory, securing 48 of 70 seats, marks their governance return after 27 years in the national capital, while AAP secured just 22, and Congress was left winless yet again. (ANI)