Delhi Liquor Policy: LG Takes Note Of Violations, Seeks Report On Role Of Officials In 'Illegal Formulation'

The LG has also recommended a probe into the policy by the CBI on the basis of a report submitted to him by chief secretary on July 8.

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New Delhi: Just a day after his recommendation for a CBI probe into the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Saturday directed the chief secretary to submit a report on the role of officers and civil servants, in the alleged illegal formulation, amendments and implementation of the policy, news agency PTI reported. He further warned of action against the officers under whose watch the alleged lapses took place.

"Taking serious note of the gross violations and deliberate lapses in the formulation, amendment and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, the LG has asked the chief secretary to submit a detailed report about the role played by officers and civil servants in the entire matter," PTI quoted an official source as saying.

According to the report, records so far indicate that certain officers facilitated decisions in complete violation of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, 1991, the Transaction of Business Rules, 1993, the Delhi Excise Act, 2009 and the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010.

"They also prima facie acted as proactive conduits in formulating and implementing illegal orders, solely at the behest of the excise minister," one of the sources added.

Notably, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is the minister in-charge of the excise department in Delhi.

Meanwhile, the LG has also recommended a probe into the policy by the CBI on the basis of a report submitted to him by chief secretary on July 8, flagging alleged violations of rules and procedural lapses related to the Excise Policy 2021-22 of the AAP government.

The chief secretary's report was also submitted to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The LG sought a comprehensive report on activities, dealings and scrutiny of files, the sources said.