Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 26: Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav has strongly criticized the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, accusing the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of corruption and deception in the implementation of its liquor policy.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Yadav alleged that the report exposed how the AAP government misused public funds under the guise of revenue generation. He claimed that instead of boosting earnings, the policy resulted in a loss of ?2,000 crore, contradicting the government's claims of financial growth.
“The CAG report shows how Delhi’s taxpayers’ money was looted. While the AAP government promised increased revenue, the reality is that public funds were siphoned off,” said Yadav.
He further stated that the AAP leadership disregarded expert committee recommendations and deliberately misled the public on the liquor policy. Yadav also suggested that political infighting between the AAP and BJP was preventing the CAG report from being properly debated in the Assembly.
Raising concerns over the irregularities highlighted in the report, Yadav demanded an expanded probe into the alleged liquor scam. He emphasized the need for a public discussion and urged investigative agencies to act on the written complaint Congress had submitted against both AAP and BJP.
“We demand a wider investigation into the liquor policy scam. The complaints we submitted should be seriously examined, and a transparent discussion must be held to expose the lies surrounding this case,” he said.
Yadav also called for the formation of a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to review the CAG report and ensure that those responsible for the financial irregularities are held accountable.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit echoed these concerns, stating that the report clearly showed how the original intent of the liquor policy had been altered. He pointed out that what was initially designed to encourage greater participation had instead led to the number of wholesale licensees dropping from 77 to just 14, many of whom were allegedly linked to each other.
Dikshit also accused the AAP government of failing to uphold its promise regarding excise duties. He argued that instead of keeping liquor prices stable, AAP introduced an annual 5-10% increase in the base amount, creating a loophole that facilitated the unchecked sale of 30-40% illegal liquor in the city.
On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta tabled the CAG’s Performance Audit Report on the Regulation and Supply of Liquor in Delhi in the Assembly. The report carries significant political weight, as it scrutinizes one of the most controversial policies of AAP’s tenure.
With the Opposition now demanding greater accountability and transparency, the CAG report has intensified the political battle over Delhi’s liquor policy. Congress continues to push for a deeper investigation into the financial losses and alleged corruption that have emerged from the report’s findings.