Excise Policy or the Delhi Government Excise policy was introduced in November 2021 by the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government. It aimed at modernizing alcohol sales in the city by allowing the setting up of a large number of private retail stores selling alcohol.
Within a year of the introduction of the policy, discrepancies were reported. Delhi’s Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar reported a breach in the policy to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena, who then requested a CBI inquiry. It was alleged that the policy had loopholes that allowed for violations such as preferential treatment, discounts, license fee waivers, and relief during pandemic disruptions in exchange for kickbacks to the AAP politicians. The ED has arrested several AAP leaders, including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.
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