Kejriwal faces Rs 2,026 crore scam charge from CAG

Agartala, Jan 11, 2025, By Our Correspondent83

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has alleged that former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his ministers misappropriated over ₹2,026 crore through a lack of transparency and illegal decision-making in the implementation of the Delhi liquor excise policy. Excerpts from the CAG report, titled "Performance Audit on Regulation and Supply of Liquor in Delhi," surfaced on Saturday, creating a major political controversy ahead of the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections.

The report highlighted significant lapses in policy-making and implementation, accusing the AAP government of benefitting select licensees while compromising the public exchequer. It outlined irregularities such as non-transparent pricing, violations in licence issuance and renewal, non-penalisation of violators, and bypassing approvals from the Lieutenant Governor, Cabinet, and the Assembly.

The findings also revealed that the government failed to set up laboratories for quality testing, leaving millions of Delhi residents at risk of consuming substandard liquor. Additionally, the CAG flagged the absence of equitable distribution of liquor vends, mismanagement of zonal licences, and a failure to meet policy objectives.

The auditor’s report estimated a loss of ₹890 crore to the exchequer due to the AAP government's decision not to re-tender surrendered retail liquor licences. It further noted that exemptions provided to zonal licensees caused an additional revenue loss of ₹941 crore. Instances of related business entities holding licences across the liquor supply chain, brand favoritism, and unapproved exclusivity arrangements between zonal licensees and wholesalers were also cited.

The CAG report criticized the Group of Ministers led by then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for ignoring recommendations from an expert panel and permitting disqualified entities to participate in bidding. These actions have been linked to money laundering and corruption cases against Sisodia, Kejriwal, and other AAP functionaries.

The BJP and Congress seized the opportunity to target the AAP government. BJP Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta called the findings proof of AAP's corruption, demanding answers on who benefited from public losses and alleging kickbacks to AAP leaders. Meanwhile, the Congress and BJP labeled the controversy “Liquorgate,” vowing to hold the AAP accountable.

In response, the AAP dismissed the allegations and questioned the credibility of the leaked CAG report. Party leaders have denied wrongdoing, emphasizing that Kejriwal and his ministers, including Sisodia and Satyendra Jain, have already been cleared by the judiciary in some related cases.

The controversy comes at a critical time for AAP, as it aims for a fourth consecutive term in the Delhi Assembly elections. The elections, scheduled for February 5, will decide the fate of 70 Assembly seats. Currently, AAP holds 62 seats while the BJP occupies 8. Results will be declared on February 8, making the CAG report a significant challenge for AAP in its campaign efforts.