New Delhi: The CAG report on the Delhi liquor policy has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for examination, with the panel expected to submit its report within three months, Speaker Vijender Gupta said Thursday.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the regulation and supply of liquor in Delhi, which was tabled in the house on February 25, has highlighted irregularities in the implementation of the excise policy by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
“Members as is evident, the CAGs ‘Performance Audit Report on Regulation and Supply of Liquor in Delhi’ has brought out grave irregularities in the implementation of the excise policy in Delhi by the Aam Aadmi government. The report has brought out in detail how the public exchequer incurred huge loss so that private firms could profit illegally at the expense of the government,” the speaker said.
Gupta made the announcement, stating that the matter required urgent attention due to the financial losses incurred by the government.
The audit, conducted for the period between 2017 and 2021, pointed to significant lapses in the licensing process, pricing mechanisms, and regulatory oversight.
It alleged that the policy led to substantial revenue losses, benefiting private companies at the expense of public funds. The report said that a revenue loss of Rs 2,002 crore was recorded due to various irregularities, including failure to re-tender surrendered licences, excessive discounts, and waivers in license fees.
During the assembly session, several members expressed serious concerns over the findings, demanding strict action against those responsible.
Gupta stated that the Delhi assembly’s PAC would conduct a thorough review of the report and submit its findings within three months.
