Delhi Lt Governor orders CBI probe into alleged nexus between liquor barons and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

<p>
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Mr Vinai Kumar Saxena, today recommended a CBI investigation into the Arvind Kejriwal-led government's controversial new excise policy under which licenses for the retail sale of liquor were awarded in the national capital. </p>
<p>
The CBI probe has been recommended after a July 8 report by the Chief Secretary of Delhi established several violations of established law "in addition to deliberate and gross procedural lapses to provide post tender undue benefits to liquor licensees," a media release from Mr Saxena's office said.</p>
<p>
The report indicates that the new excise policy was implemented with the sole aim of benefiting private liquor barons for financial benefits to individuals at the highest echelons of the government leading up to Manish Sisodia, the Lieutenant Governor alleged.</p>
<p>
"Minister In-charge of the Excise Department, Manish Sisodia took and got executed, major decisions/actions in violation of the statutory provisions and the notified Excise Policy that had huge financial implications," Mr Saxena's statement said.</p>
<p>
The statement accused Mr Sisodia of extending undue financial favours to the liquor licensees much after the tenders had been awarded, causing "huge losses" to the ex-chequer.</p>
<p>
Commenting on the report, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said the allegations are "totally false". He said Mr Sisodia was working very hard to strenghten Delhi's education system, earning praise and electoral support because of it, which is why the Centre is trying to stop them.</p>
<p>
The new Excise policy 2021-22 was implemented from November 17 last year under which retail licences were given to private bidders for 849 vends across the city divided into 32 zones.</p>
<p>
The Excise Policy in question opposed by civil society, religious groups, educational institutions, Parents' Bodies and the opposition alike, was announced amid the deadly Delta wave of the Covid pandemic raging in Delhi.</p>
<p>
The BJP and Congress had strongly opposed the policy and lodged complaint with the Lieutenant Governor as well as central agencies for a probe into the issue.</p>