New Delhi: The Arvind Kejriwal government has come on the backfoot over the recent controversy surrounding Delhi's excise policy. According to the information, the AAP government can implement the old system of excise policy for the next six months from August 1. However, a final order in this regard has not yet been issued. The Excise Policy 2021-22 was extended twice after March 31 for a period of two months, which will end on July 31. This policy is likely to continue further.
However, the excise department is still working in accordance with the Excise Policy 2022-23, which among other things recommends home delivery of liquor in Delhi. According to officials, the drafted policy is yet to be sent to Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena for his permission. According to excise department officials, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the excise department, on Thursday asked the department to roll back the old system of excise policy for a period of six months till the new policy comes in.
The Kejriwal government in Delhi implemented its new excise policy last year, under which private operators were given licenses to sell retail liquor through open tenders. So far, 650 out of a total of 850 shops have been opened in 32 zones of the national capital after the implementation of the new policy. The Delhi government had said that the new policy will increase its revenue of the government. But, now, in view of the scams coming to the fore in the country and the subsequent arrests, the Kejriwal government has pulled back its steps. Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena has already ordered a CBI probe into the Kejriwal government's excise policy, accusing the government of illegally benefiting the liquor mafia. However, even before the investigation is conducted and the scam comes to light, the Kejriwal government made a U-turn and asked to implement the old excise policy.
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