India

Delhi Liquor Policy Case: Link to Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP Government

The Delhi liquor policy case revolves around the changes introduced by the Kejriwal government in November 2021. Under this policy, government outlets were no longer allowed to sell liquor, and private entities could apply for licenses to run liquor stores. The government claimed that this new policy would combat black marketing, boost revenue, and benefit consumers. It also permitted liquor stores to operate beyond midnight and offer unlimited discounts, resulting in increased sales and a 27% rise in revenue for the Delhi government.

However, the BJP, the opposition party in Delhi, strongly criticized the policy, accusing the Kejriwal government of promoting a “liquor culture” and allowing liquor stores to proliferate in residential areas.

Also Read: Numerology Predictions Of 2 November, 2023: Discover Influence Of Numbers In Your Life

The first signs of trouble emerged when Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar reported numerous rule violations in the liquor policy in July 2022. He alleged that the policy provided “undue benefits” to liquor sellers and mentioned a ₹144 crore rebate in liquor license fees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to these allegations, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the matter, escalating the BJP’s attacks on the AAP-led government. The Delhi government, however, denied the allegations and subsequently withdrew the new liquor policy, leading to the closure of over 400 recently opened liquor stores. Liquor sales returned to government control until a new policy was implemented.

Also Read: After bike collision Delhi filmmaker bleeds for 30 mins as bystanders record videos, dies

The investigation took a serious turn when in August 2022, the CBI conducted raids at the home of Manish Sisodia, the former deputy of Arvind Kejriwal. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also joined the probe to investigate the money trail. The ED’s case was based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the CBI against Sisodia and 14 others.

The investigative agencies alleged the existence of a “South Group” that included K Kavitha, the leader of Bharatiya Rastra Samithi and the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, YSRCP MP M Srinivasulu Reddy, and Sarath Reddy of Aurobindo Pharma. The ED claimed that the “South Group” and the AAP had an arrangement in which the former provided funds to the AAP for its Goa election campaign. In return, the “South Group” was supposed to recover this money through liquor businesses it controlled in Delhi, with the AAP being accused of favoring these liquor networks while granting licenses under the new policy.

Priyanka Rai

Recent Posts

JP Nadda Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Match-Fixing’ Claims As ‘Desperation Of Losing’ Polls

Rahul Gandhi's opinion piece appeared in a national daily and sparked political uproar. Opposition parties…

4 hours ago

Poverty In India Reduced Via Tangible Boost In Household Living Standards, Incomes

In 2022–23, poverty under the revised $3.00 line stood at just 5.25 per cent in…

4 hours ago

Chhattisgarh: Seven Maoists Killed In Indravati National Park Operation

Five Maoists were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district,…

5 hours ago

Carney Invites Modi To G7 Summit, Highlights India’s Global Supply Chain Role

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the most populous country, with the fifth-largest economy, must…

5 hours ago

RBI Frontloads Rate Cuts To Boost Growth Amid Low Inflation: Crisil

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has frontloaded its rate cuts to support economic growth,…

6 hours ago

PM Modi Urges Global Action On Coastal Resilience At Nice Summit

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday called for urgent global action to build infrastructure that can…

6 hours ago