Exciting developments in Indian politics never cease to exist. The most recent political flashpoint is between the BJP and the AAM Admi party, regarding the CBI raids against Delhi's deputy chief minister, Manisha Shodia. The allegations are about an alleged liquor policy scam. Last week, the CBI rated 31 locations, including Shisodia's home, and named him as the first accused in a corruption FIR, along with 14 others.
However, Shisodia and the AAP have denied any wrongdoing and accused the CBI of acting at the behest of the BJP because they claim the 2024 general election will be a Modi vs Kejriwal battle.
Shishodia said, "We know this CBI is being misused. It's being controlled from the top. Everyone knows that by controlling the CBI,
the BJP wants to stop the good work being done by us. The center can misuse the CBI as much as it wants, but we will not stop our good work." So, what is this case about, and what explains the timing of the CBI rates?
The case pertains to the now-withdrawn Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22. Manisha Shodia is the head of Delhi's excise Department, which is how he has come in the line of fire. The policy came into effect in November of 2021.
Under this policy, the government no longer had anything to do with selling liquor, and only private shops were allowed to do so. The essential aim was to stop black marketing, increase revenue, and improve consumer experience.
It also allowed the home delivery of liquor, as well as shops to open until three in the morning. Licensees could also offer unlimited discounts. In fact, the government substantially increased its revenue after the implementation of the policy by 27%, generating around 8,900 crores.
However, the policy soon ran into trouble first with the economic offenses wing of the Delhi police, which was already looking into alleged irregularities. In July this year, Delhi's Chief Secretary, Naresh Kumar, submitted a report to Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Suksena, accusing Shishodia of providing undue benefits to liquor vend licensees in view of kickbacks and commissions. Now, it was alleged that this was being used by the ARP in the Punjab polls back in February.
The chief secretary's report says that Shishodia allegedly made changes to the excise policy without the approval of the LG, who is supposed to be the competent authority, as they call it. And that included allowing a waiver of 144 crores on the tendered license fee, using the pandemic as an excuse. Now, officials say that any changes to an already implemented policy has to be placed before the cabinet by the excise department and then forwarded to the LG for final approval. That's what the rules are. And any changes that are made without the approval of the cabinet and the LG are illegal and in violation of Delhi's excise rules and the transaction of business rules as well.
The report also alleged that Shishodia gave undue benefits to liquor licensees by revising the rates of foreign liquor and removing the levy of import pass fee of 50 rupees per case of beer. Now, this, according to the report, made foreign liquor and beer cheaper for retail and that led to a loss of revenue for the state exchequer.
Once he got the future secretary's report, the LG announced a CBI probe into the new policy.
And soon after that, Shishodia said the policy was going to be scrapped immediately, which once again meant that only government-owned liquor vans could sell alcohol. The CBI FIR claims that Shisodia, the then excise commissioner of Delhi, and two other senior exc.
