Raid on Sisodia and Sanjay Singh in jail, the liquor policy which became a thorn in the neck of AAP

The new excise policy of Delhi government has now become a noose around its neck. In this case, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is already in jail, now Sanjay Singh has also come on the radar of the investigating agency. Today ED has raided Sanjay Singh's Delhi residence.

Delhi's liquor scam has now become a thorn in the neck of the Aam Aadmi Party government. Today the Enforcement Directorate i.e. ED team raided the residence of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. The ED team reached his residence in Delhi at around seven in the morning. During this time, CRPF soldiers were also deployed outside. The big thing is that before Sanjay Singh, ED had also raided his associates in this case. In this case, former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia was put in jail, because he was in charge of the Excise Department.

Actually, in the year November 2021, Delhi Government had implemented the new Excise Policy 2021-2022. After the introduction of this policy, businessmen of the state started selling liquor to customers at discounted rates. Later, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena sought a report from the government on the new excise policy. When the Chief Secretary submitted the report to the LG, it mentioned violations of rules and flaws in the tender process. Delhi government was also accused of taking bribe by giving benefits to private companies.

CBI made Sisodia the main accused

After this, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding irregularities in the new liquor policy. After investigation, CBI registered a case against alleged irregularities and corruption in making and implementing the new excise policy and made Sisodia the main accused. Later CBI arrested Sisodia and sent him to jail. Later ED also arrested Sisodia in this case. Amidst the investigation, the Delhi government withdrew the new excise policy.

Why did Delhi government bring new liquor policy?

Let us tell you that a new excise policy was implemented for issuing licenses for the sale of liquor and running contract bars in Delhi. Through the policy, owners of hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants were allowed to open till 3 am. At the same time, some people were given licenses to open shops 24 hours a day. Under this policy, licenses were issued by dividing Delhi into 32 zones. Later, Delhi government was accused of scam in issuing licenses.

Why were questions raised on the new liquor policy?

In fact, according to the old liquor policy in Delhi, 60 percent of the shops were government owned while 40 percent were in private hands. Later, by implementing a new policy, 100 percent of the shops were handed over to private traders. Not only this, the legal age limit for consuming alcohol in the state was reduced from 25 years to 21 years. Delhi government was accused of promoting liquor.