The Rekha Gupta-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government tabled the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the Excise Policy in the Delhi Assembly today. The first session of the new Delhi Assembly, which began on February 24, witnessed heated exchanges between the ruling and opposition parties. On Tuesday, the Delhi Assembly suspended 21 AAP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Atishi, for three days for disrupting Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena’s inaugural address to the newly constituted House.
Key Revelations from the CAG Report
Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled another promise. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented the CAG report in the Delhi Assembly, revealing significant financial irregularities in the liquor policy. According to the report, the new liquor policy has resulted in a loss of approximately Rs 2,002 crore to the Delhi government. The policy was flawed, and there were irregularities in the licensing process. The 166-page CAG report exposes multiple wrongdoings linked to Arvind Kejriwal and his administration.
The report highlights that major exemptions and concessions were granted without cabinet approval or consultation with the Lieutenant Governor, violating legal protocols. Additionally, it uncovers several critical details that demand further scrutiny.
What’s Next?
The session has been extended for two more days until March 1, during which 13 more reports are expected to be presented. Gradually, more reports will be introduced, further exposing the alleged misdeeds of the Kejriwal government.
The CAG report has raised several pressing questions. With its findings, Kejriwal is under immense legal and political scrutiny. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken an aggressive stance, drawing parallels between Kejriwal and other politicians previously accused of corruption.
The Role of the CAG
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is a constitutional institution with substantial authority over financial oversight. Its power surpasses even that of the Chief Justice of India in monitoring government expenditures. Every official, including the Prime Minister and President, takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, but only two offices ensure its implementation: the Chief Justice of India and the CAG.
Ministers have previously faced legal consequences following CAG reports, highlighting the significant weight of these findings. With Kejriwal’s case under investigation, both the CBI and ED are expected to take further action. The CBI is examining illegalities in policy formulation, while the ED is investigating potential money laundering linked to the liquor scam.
Three Major Accusations in the CAG Report
Irregularities in the Formation of the Excise Policy – The CBI is investigating policy-related corruption and now has additional evidence from the CAG report.
Flaws in the Licensing Process – Irregularities in granting licenses have led to monopolization and cartel formation, suggesting that the policy was designed to benefit select entities.
Implementation Failures – The policy’s execution was flawed, necessitating a separate investigation beyond the CBI’s current probe.
Legal and Political Implications
With the presentation of the CAG report, new legal proceedings are expected. A Public Accounts Committee (PSC) will now review the findings and likely recommend further investigations. Given the BJP’s majority, voting in favor of deeper inquiries seems inevitable, potentially leading to arrests and legal actions against those involved.
Previously, Kejriwal might have received court sympathy as an elected Chief Minister. However, his current position offers no such protection. The CAG report contradicts his claims of financial efficiency, revealing an 80% increase in liquor sales but a 37% decline in revenue—an anomaly that raises concerns of corruption.
Broader Consequences
The CAG report spans 207 pages and is only the first of 14 reports yet to come. 13 More Reports Await in Delhi Assembly Session. This marks the beginning of a prolonged legal battle for Kejriwal, potentially tying him up in court cases for years.
A recent RTI report revealed that while Kejriwal provided free electricity to the public, his personal electricity bill exceeded Rs 41 lakh, raising further questions about his governance. a separate SIT (Special Investigation Team) is expected to be formed to investigate these matters.
Whats ahead…
The BJP government in Delhi has taken a significant step by presenting the CAG report, bringing to light multiple financial discrepancies in the liquor policy. As legal proceedings unfold, the extent of the allegations and their consequences will become clearer in the coming weeks.
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