Delhi Excise Policy was adopted illegally: Meenakshi Lekhi

New Delhi, July 22 (IANS) Hours after Delhi Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government's Excise Policy 2021-22, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi on Friday alleged the policy was adopted illegally in the city and that the people have been cheated.

Earlier on Friday, the CBI investigation has been recommended after a report by the Chief Secretary established prima facie violations of GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR) 1993, Delhi Excise Act 2009 and Delhi Excise Rules 2010.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Lekhi said the liquor policy was adopted illegally, and the people of Delhi have been cheated.

"CM Kejriwal should give full details of this scam on the basis of facts. What was the hurry that they had to sign the papers without following the procedure?" she questioned.

Slamming Kejirwal, Lekhi said that his government has violated rules and procedures and promoted cartelisation to benefit liquor firms in Delhi.

Lekhi noted that the public exchequer suffered huge losses due to a scam in the liquor trade in the national capital.

The Union minister and Lok Sabha member from New Delhi constituency claimed that a waiver of over Rs 144.36 crore was given to licensees and earnest money deposit worth Rs 30 crore of one company was refunded without following rules and processes.

Lekhi also questioned Chief Minister Kejriwal about the action taken in the matter following notice sent by the excise department to certain liquor companies in October last year.

She further claimed that there were documents and signatures of people establishing their culpability in the decisions taken and irregularities committed in executing the new excise policy.