The deputy CM claimed that it led to a loss of thousands of crores of rupees to Delhi government (Courtesy: Twitter)NEW DELHI: A week after the Delhi govt announced to withdraw its new excise policy, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday said that he wrote to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking an investigation into former lieutenant governor Anil Baijal’s change of stance on the opening of liquor shops in unauthorised areas of the national capital. The deputy CM claimed that it led to a loss of thousands of crores of rupees to the city government. At a press conference here, Sisodia said he has sent the details of the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and asserted that there should be a probe into it. While Baijal could not be contacted for a comment, LG secretariat sources said there is no provision for opening a commercial establishment in non-conforming areas as it is a violation of Delhi master plan. “Why did the government give licence to shops in such areas? Also, how could the closure of 67 shops lead to a revenue loss of thousands of crores of rupees” the source questioned. Sisodia said under the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, 849 shops were to be opened across Delhi including unauthorised areas. “The LG did not object to this proposal and approved it. Just two days before implementation of the new policy, the LG on November 15 changed his stand and introduced a condition that permission of DDA and MCD would be needed for opening liquor shops in unauthorised areas,” the deputy chief minister alleged. He further added that as a result of this change, many shops could not open in non-conforming areas leading to loss of revenue worth thousands of crores of rupees to the government while the shops that opened in the vicinity had windfall gains. “It should be investigated why LG changed his stand that benefitted some players and also if the decision was taken under any pressure,” he said. Baijal was LG of Delhi when AAP government rolled out its ambitious excise policy on November 17, 2021 and withdrew from retail business of liquor. However, the government has now withdrawn the policy and is preparing to run liquor vends under old excise regime through its undertakings from September 1. The contentious excise policy is already under scrutiny with incumbent LG VK Saxena recommending a CBI probe into alleged violation of rules and procedural lapses. The LG has also approved the suspension and disciplinary action against excise commissioner Aarava Gopi Krishna, a 2012-batch IAS and deputy excise commissioner Anand Tiwari, a 2003-batch apart DANICS officer, along with nine other officials. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAFacebookTwitterInstagramKOO APPYOUTUBE
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/manish-sisodia-accuses-former-delhi-lg-anil-baijal-of-changing-stance-on-opening-liquor-shops-in-unauthorised-areas/articleshow/93388873.cms
