New Delhi: A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the now-scrapped excise policy of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration in Delhi identified multiple “lapses” in the program. The CAG audit claimed that the exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 2,026 crore. The report was released only days before the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025. The report claimed that AAP leaders received “kickbacks”.
The CAG report also suggested that licence regulations were broken. Notably, Manish Sisodia, the then-Deputy Chief Minister, was in charge of the excise department when the liquor excise policy was implemented in Delhi. According to the report, Sisodia ignored the expert panel’s policy suggestions.
It also stated that arbitrary judgments were made with no clearance from the Lieutenant Governor.
The AAP questioned the existence of a CAG report on the Delhi liquor policy fraud.
Key Findings of the CAG Report:
- Revenue Loss: The policy’s execution led to a substantial revenue shortfall for the government.
- Policy Implementation Issues: The report points to lapses and irregularities in how the policy was rolled out, suggesting that these contributed to the financial losses.
- Beneficiary Concerns: There are indications that certain private entities may have unduly benefited from the policy, raising questions about favoritism and lack of transparency.
Political Reactions:
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Leaders from the BJP have criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of corruption and mismanagement. Union Minister Anurag Thakur labeled the policy as a “liquor scam,” alleging that it drained public funds.
- Congress: The Congress party has also condemned the AAP government, with leaders highlighting the alleged ₹2,000 crore scam and questioning the administration’s integrity.
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): In response, AAP has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, denying any wrongdoing and questioning the timing of the report’s release.
Background:
The Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 was introduced with the aim of reforming the city’s liquor trade by involving private players in retail operations. However, it faced criticism and allegations of corruption, leading to its eventual withdrawal. The CAG report is the first official document to quantify the financial impact of the policy, intensifying the ongoing political debate.