Even after the formation of a new government in Delhi, the tussle between BJP and Aam Aadmi Party over liquor policy continues. After the CAG report is presented, the problems of Aam Aadmi Party, Arvind Kejriwal and his other allies may increase in this matter. Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has said during the proceedings of the House that the CAG report has revealed that the people of Delhi have suffered a loss of Rs 2002 crore due to the liquor policy. This should be investigated and the culprits should be given strict punishment. This comment of the Speaker may give strength to the ruling party while Kejriwal's problems may increase.

The Speaker made a harsh comment about the liquor policy during the proceedings of the House. He said that the CAG audit report related to 'regulation and supply of liquor in Delhi' has exposed serious irregularities in the implementation of the excise policy. He said that the report has detailed how huge losses were caused to the government exchequer so that private companies could illegally profit at government expense.

According to Vijender Gupta, as per the audit 2017-2021, the new liquor policy caused a revenue loss of Rs 2002 crore to the people of Delhi by granting licenses, lack of transparency in IMFL pricing, inadequate quality control, weak regulatory functioning and poor implementation of enforcement activities.

He claimed that there has been a loss of Rs 890 crore due to failure to re-tender the surrendered licenses, Rs 941 crore due to discounts, Rs 144 crore due to waiver of license fee and Rs 27 crore due to incorrect collection of security amount. Gupta has said that a serious investigation should be done so that the culprits can be given strict punishment as soon as possible.

What will happen now

As per the established parliamentary procedure, this report will be thoroughly investigated by the Public Accounts Committee of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. This committee will submit its report to the House within three months. Vijender Gupta has decided in the first meeting itself that the Assembly Secretariat will send this matter to all the concerned departments to obtain their opinion and will compulsorily present it in the House within a month.

Opposition's claim

However, on the day the CAG report was presented in the House, opposition leader Atishi Marlena had claimed that the CAG report justified the liquor policy. According to Atishi, the CAG report had revealed that the new liquor policy fixed the loopholes of the old liquor policy and was more profitable for the government. But the Delhi government withdrew it the same year after the uproar by the Congress-BJP.