The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police has sought details of the new excise policy from the Excise Department. The Delhi Police’s EOW issued a notice to Excise Commissioner on July 12, directing him to provide all the documents pertaining to issue of liquor licences under New Excise Policy 2021-22.

In a letter to Assistant Commissioner of Excise, the EOW has asked Excise Commissioner to provide “the application forms of all successful bidders (of all 32 zones) along with other relevant documents submitted for grant of liquor licence” under new policy along with DIN/TIN numbers of all successful applicants.

The EOW has sought details on date of formulation of New Excise Policy 2021-22; date of floating of tenders for grant of liquor licence under new policy.

date of grant of liquor licence ; detail application forms of all successful applications (all 32 zones) alongwith other relevant document submitted for grant of liquor licence under the new policy.

The excise department has also been asked to explain “what procedure was followed to check monopolies and cartels of successful applicants…” and “whether any SOP was prepared to check monopolies and cartels of successful applicants…”.

Further, it sought whether the Delhi Excise Department has issued any show cause notice for cancellation of the license granted to any applicant or cancelled license under the new excise policy.

The replies to these questions were sought within three days after the receipt of the notice.

Delhi government's new excise policy has remained in continuous flux since its inception. Various objections have been raised by different authorities and the Delhi government even reconsidered many of its own decisions.

The government had brought in a new excise policy late last year with the stated objective of boosting the state’s revenue and cleaning up the liquor trade.

The policy, however, has come under severe attack, especially by the liquor retailers who say it favours wholesalers who have been allowed to pick and choose retailers while offering rebates and promotional discounts.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena last week recommended a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged irregularities related to the Kejriwal government’s Excise Policy 2021-22.

Following this, he ordered another probe after fresh charges of cartelisation and facilitation of monopolies. Appropriate action will be taken by the L-G based of the report in accordance with the law

A report on July 8 by the Chief Secretary of the Union territory established prima facie violations of "deliberate and gross procedural lapses" made by the deputy chief minister and in charge of excise department Manish Sisodia to "provide post tender undue benefits to liquor licensees."

Assistant Commissioner of Police, EOW has sought the date of floating of tenders for grant of liquor licence under the new policy, date of grant of a licence, and application forms of all successful applicants.