KEJRIWAL THE BURUTUS TO ANNA HAZARE THE JULIES CAESAR

The new excise policy of privitisation of Liquor Trade was implemented in November 2021 by Kejriwal Government wherein all state-owned liquor stores would be completely closed and the business would be transferred to the private players. This was mooted to boost the revenue to the tune of Rs.9,500 crore.

But, alas, it was withdrawn eight months later as there were allegations of scam in the implementation of new scheme.

Dirt of Corruption engulfed AAP Broom much to the dismay of Delhi Voters in particular.

Let us know key factors about this scam of Kejriwal Government.

In July 8, 2022, Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar reported to Lieutenant Governor Vinal Saxena that in implementation of new liquor policy, there were deliberate and gross procedural lapses to provide post-tender such as undue benefits to liquor licensees and stated further that the officers and civil servants in the formulation of the policy were indulged in procedural lapses.

The Vigilance Department who investigated the scam – also submitted it’s report which states that there were serious lapses on the part of the officers concerned.

On receipts of these two reports, Saxena suspended 11 excise officials including the then excise commissioner, an IAS officer for their deliberate lapses in implementing the new liquor policy.

In view of corruptions in the implementation of new liquor policy of Delhi Government, Saxena ordered CBI probe.

After Naresh Kumar’s sensational report of procedural lapses in implementation of new liquor policy to Saxena on July 23, 2022, Delhi Government on July 30, 2022 announced that it would revert to the old excise policy of government run liquor trade. This U-Turn itself is enough to prove that Kejriwal Government had indirectly admitted the lapses, though the scam’s part will be revealed when the CBI completes its investigation.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who handles Delhi government's excise portfolio among many others, is one of 15 accused named in the FIR.

CBI PROBE is to ascertain quantum of kick-back in implementing new liquor policy.

Some Highlights:

On Sisodia’s directions, ₹30 crore deposit refunded to an L -1 (Whole Sale License) bidder in the Airport Zone who failed to get a no-objection certificate from airport authorities.

The Excise Department revised the formula used to calculate the rates of foreign liquor and removed a levy of ₹ 50 per case on beer.

Relaxation of tender document provisions to provide undue financial favours to private retail licensees.

₹ 144.36 crore waived on tendered license fee on account of the pandemic in a move to favour liquor merchants.

The CBI has claimed in its FIR that a liquor trader paid Rs 1 crore to a company managed by an associate of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

According to the central agency, Sisodia and other accused public servants recommended and took decisions pertaining to the excise policy 2021-22 without the approval of competent authority with "an intention to extend undue favours to the licencees post tender".

Amit Arora, Director of Buddy Retail Pvt. Limited in Gurgaon, Dinesh Arora and Arjun Pandey are said to be the "close associates" of Sisodia and were "actively involved in managing and diverting the undue pecuniary advantage collected from liquor licensees" for the accused public servants.

As per the CBI, Sunny Marwah's Mahadev Liquors was granted L-1 licence under the policy. Marwah, who was also on the board of firms of the deceased liquor baron Ponty Chadha, is accused of regularly paying bribes to the accused public servants as he was in close contact with them.

Anna Hazare’s Anti-Corruption Campaign had helped Kejriwal to capture power and Kejriwal after forming his own political party – though opposed by Anna Hazare – could become the Chief Minister after his historic victory smashing Congress and BJP to oblivion. Kejriwal had won continuously three times handsomely in the election in Delhi. Kejriwal could also capture power at Punjab as well – pushing all parties to face utter defeat.

But Anna Hazare critized Kejriwal strongly in a letter thus:

"This is the first time I am writing to you since you became chief minister, because I am pained at recent news reports about your government's liquor policy.

“Like liquor, power too intoxicates. You are intoxicated by power.

"You had written idealistic things on liquor policies in your book 'Swaraj', for which you got me to write the introduction. You said no liquor shops be opened without area residents' approval. But, You have forgotten those ideals after becoming chief minister.

“It is sad to see that the Aam Aadmi Party formed by you, Manish Sisodia and others was no different from any other party now.

"Rather than bringing in a strong Lokpal and anti-corruption laws, you brought in this liquor policy that is anti-people, particularly anti-women.

"In Delhi, liquor shops were being opened in every corner of the city... People seem to be trapped in a circle of money for power and power for money. It doesn't suit a party that emerged from a major movement.“

Anna Hazare’s Sermons now –though he was then like powerful Julius Caesar – were not respected by his once ardent admirer and Sishya Arvind Kejriwal and more so after he became Chief Minister of Delhi.

Actually Arvind Kejriwal became Brutus to Anna Hazare – thereby making Anna a lifeless and powerless political figure.

Kejriwal’s Broom had swept Anna Hare’s policies to crush corruption and to implement prohibition of sale of liquor to the dust bin.

It is very sad to note that AAP Broom had not swept Dirt of Corruption, but Broom itself had become chocked in Corruption thereby Kejriwal becomes Brutus not only to Anna Hazare but also to Voters of Delhi !

Such an unbecoming Politician Kejriwal dreams to become Prime Minister of India.

Kejriwal’s AAP seems to survive through two channels – Money through Scam and His support to Anti-National forces especially Khalistan and in return their money. Hence Bharat – that is India will be ruined, if such forces grow.

Awakening of Delhi and Punjab Voters Alone can teach Kejriwal’s AAP a lesson by voting him out and pushing him to oblivion in the next elections.