The BJP and the AAP are at odds over Delhi's liquor policy.
Manish Sisodia, the deputy chief minister of Delhi, announced on Saturday that he had written to the CBI to report that the former lieutenant governor, Anil Baijal, had abruptly altered his mind on allowing liquor stores to be opened in prohibited areas. "Former LG had previously approved the cabinet's policy, but they later reversed their judgement. Thousands of crores in damages resulted from this. Why was it decided to do this? I hope the CBI does a thorough investigation."
The AAP and the BJP-controlled central government are at odds over the Delhi excise policy. Vinai Kumar Saxena, the lieutenant governor who presided over Sisodia, had written to the federal investigation agency to urge it to look into the liquor policy that was cleared by the Aam Aadmi Party government last year. The policy amid the row then put on hold but given a temporary extension for one month.
"The new regulation went into effect in 2021. However, the implementation was halted by some powerful individuals in order to favor a small group. I wrote to the CBI to request that they look into how and why this occurred.
"In the past, 849 stores in the capital were dispersed unevenly. To prevent situations like the hooch policy, equitable distribution was emphasized in the new policy. "(Former) LG carefully examined the policy before approving it," Sisodia said at a press conference. "He made suggestions. Then, in June, we sent it to him after changes. He approved of it the second time.
Sisodia read it "twice" while focusing on "equitable distribution" and how the former LG had not raised any concerns about the establishment of the stores in "unauthorized regions."
But L-G Saab changed his position when the stores had to be opened, especially in prohibited locations. The trouble's primary cause is this. It took place in November. At that time, he stated that approval for the opening of the stores would need to come from the DDA and the MCD. But it was understood that they couldn't.
Sisodia claimed that the former LG "modified his decision without discussing it with the cabinet," which "led to losses worth hundreds of crores and benefited only a few vendors," after the question of new licenses reached court and a fee relaxation was mooted.
