National News
Delhi Liquorgate: CAG report shows Rs 2,002 cr loss, non-achievement of objectives
New Delhi, Feb 25: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report tabled in Delhi Assembly on Tuesday said that former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his ministers allegedly caused a loss of over Rs 2,002 crore through their non-transparent excise policy, popularly known as “Liquorgate”.
Pointing to illegal decision-making to benefit some favoured licencees, the damning report said, “Actual implementation was sub-optimal and objectives behind the policy were not achieved. Vends in non-conforming wards could not be opened and equitable distribution of retail vends could not be achieved. Issue and management of zonal licences had major shortcomings.”
The document of the Central government’s auditor that has exposed the liquor scam is named, ‘Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Performance Audit on Regulation and Supply of Liquor in Delhi.’
The scam related to the now-scrapped excise policy was a key issue in the just-concluded Assembly Elections, with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi promising to expose the corrupt by announcing, “Jinhone loota hai, unhe lautana padega (The looters will have to pay back every penny).”
On Tuesday, the CAG report was table by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta amid thumping of desks by BJP legislators even as Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena promised to study the CAG findings and improve the system.
Earlier, corruption and money-laundering cases related to the now-withdrawn excise policy saw Kejriwal and his Cabinet colleagues – Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain – spend months behind bars, before getting bail from court.
The findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Girish Chandra Murmu also highlight the areas in which it failed to achieve its stated purposes.
These failed objectives included: Generate optimum revenue for government, eradicate sale of spurious liquor, simplify excise regime, counter formation of cartels, simplify duty and pricing policy and adequate spread of retail vends.
“Responsibility and accountability should be fixed for the lapses observed and the enforcement mechanism should be strengthened,” said Murmu in his final recommendation in the report for the year ended March 31, 2022. The report was also signed by Principal Accountant General (Audit), Delhi, Aman Deep Chatha.
Under the head of “Decisions taken without the approval of competent authority”, the CAG report included opening of liquor vends in conforming areas like residential areas or close to places of worship or schools.
The report also slammed the previous government for relaxation regarding coercive action against the licencees in case of default of payment of fee, waiver or reduction in licence fee, refund of earnest money deposit in case of Airport Zone and correction in formulae for calculating MRP in case of foreign liquor.
The CAG report also underlined the fact that a report of group of AAP ministers deviated from the recommendations by an expert committee for drafting a new excise policy.
One of the glaring lapses by the GoM was allowing one applicant to get allotment of up to 54 retail vends as compared to the expert panel’s suggestion that an individual may be allotted a maximum of two vends.
The CAG also flagged the provision in the now-scrapped excise policy to allow retail licencees to offer discounts to customers.
Another key finding was the non-setting up of labs to check the quality of liquor being supplied in Delhi, a lapse that exposed millions of city residents to health risks, said the CAG report.
The government auditor’s report tore into the AAP government’s policy-making and implementation, citing several instances of irregularities like – lack of transparency in pricing, violation in issue and renewal of licences, non-penalisation of violators, non-seeking of approval from LG, Cabinet or the Assembly.
The CAG report said the exchequer lost around Rs 890 crore as the AAP government did not re-tender the surrendered retail liquor licences.
The report noted, “There was lack of scrutiny of the business entities with regards to their financial wherewithal and management expertise. Instances of related business entities holding licenses across the liquor supply chain were noticed.”
“Liquor supply data indicates exclusivity arrangements between zonal licencees and wholesalers and Brand Pushing. Surrender of zonal licences during the extended policy period further led to substantial revenue loss. Other important measures which were planned in the policy, like setting up of laboratories and batch testing for quality assurance, setting up of super premium vends etc., were not implemented,” it said.
The government lost an additional Rs 941 crore due to the exemptions that had to be given to the zonal licencees, the report said.
The GoM, headed by Minister Manish Sisodia, allegedly did not act on the recommendation of the expert panel and even allowed disqualified entities to bid for licences.
National News
Cyclone Montha Effect On Mumbai: Thunderstorms, Gusty Winds Lash City & Coastal Maharashtra

Under the influence of severe cyclonic storm “Montha”, which is over Bay of Bengal, the western costal regions including Mumbai have been witnessing change in weather conditions from last couple of days. The parts of the island city and its metropolitan regions continued witnessing thunderstorms and gusty winds on Tuesday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in the evening issues a weather warning for rain spells with gusty winds gusty winds reaching at the speed of 40-50 kmph for the districts of Mumbai, Thane and Palghar. The region experienced similar weather on Monday evening too. The state is likely to witness similar weather conditions for the entire week.
The IMD has issued a Yellow Alert for thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, light to moderate rainfall & gusty winds (30- 40kmph) at isolated places for Maharashtra upto October 30. However, the unseasonal rainfall conditions will continue till November 1.
The IMD Mumbai’s state on Tuesday morning said, “The Severe Cyclonic Storm “Montha” over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours. A through now runs from the upper air cyclonic circulation associated with the depression over eastcentral Arabian sea.”
As per local weather forecast for Mumbai city and suburbs for the next 48 hours, the skies will be generally cloudy with possibility of thunderstorms accompanied with light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds. The maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 33 deg. C. and 25 deg. C.
The weather department of October 26 had issued a weather warning saying, “Under the influence of upper air cyclonic circulation, thunderstorms accompanied with lightning & gusty wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph are very likely to occur over parts of Maharashtra between 26-30 October. Fairly Widespread to Widespread moderate rainfall activity with Heavy rainfall at isolated places is expected over Konkan and Madhya Maharashtra during the above period. Isolated to scattered light/moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms is expected over Marathwada, during 26 -29 October.” The fishermen are advised not to venture into sea. ‘
Cyclone Montha is a new cyclonic storm formed over the Arabian Sea and was expected to reach Andra Pradesh on October 28.
The weather department has warned that low pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal, and the depression is likely to gain strength over the next few days, thereby affecting the weather conditions in several states.
The cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region are given names from a predetermined list submitted by countries in the region. The name Montha was suggested by Thailand, which means fragrant flower or beautiful flower in the Thai language.
Crime
K’taka CM urges police to join him in his mission to make state drug-free

Bengaluru, Oct 28: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday called upon the state police to join him in the mission to make Karnataka a “drugs-free state”, urging officers to take strong and coordinated action against the menace.
“My goal is to make Karnataka drugs-free, and I urge you to make it your goal as well. If we achieve this, the people of Karnataka will express their gratitude to the police department,” the Chief Minister said.
He was speaking after distributing new peak caps to police personnel, inaugurating the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, and releasing the ‘Sanmitra’ action plan handbook at an event organised by the Karnataka State Police Department at the Vidhana Soudha Banquet Hall in Bengaluru.
“Our youth, students, and young generation should not fall prey to drugs. The police department must take a firm and committed stand against this menace,” he said.
“In Mangaluru district, there were frequent communal clashes and instances of misconduct by police personnel earlier. The officers in charge at the time failed to maintain control, so I ordered the transfer of two officials. Now, Mangaluru district is under control. This achievement too belongs to our own officers and staff — they are not from another world; they are ours. Therefore, if you resolve to do it, everything is possible. Prove it through your work,” the Chief Minister urged.
“In the same way, it is possible for you to curb the menace of drugs across the entire state. If you succeed, the prestige of the Karnataka Police will rise to international standards,” he added.
“Some police personnel are involved with real estate operators and drug networks. It is within your power to nip rowdy elements in the bud. The fear of the police has diminished in the criminal world. Ask yourselves why this has happened — you know the answer,” Siddaramaiah said, appealing to the conscience of police officers and staff.
“You know who sells drugs, who brings them in, and who the agents in this network are. Make Karnataka a ‘Drugs-Free State’ at the earliest. Achieve it and show results,” he urged.
“The design of the peak cap released today was chosen by me personally. We have replaced the model that was in use since 1956 –nearly 70 years. Now, both officers and personnel will have a uniform cap design. I hope this change will boost your confidence,” the Chief Minister said.
“It’s not just the cap that should change — your performance should also improve,” he added.
The Chief Minister lauded the police department’s efficiency, saying, “The government earns a good name because of the police department’s dedication. The India Justice Report ranking Karnataka Police as number one in the country has enhanced the state’s prestige.”
Crime
Bengal assault case: Daughter of arrested BJP leader files counter complaint claiming molestation

Kolkata, Oct 28: After BJP leader Rakesh Singh and his children were arrested in connection with an assault case in West Bengal, his minor daughter on Tuesday filed a counter-complaint of molestation against the son of the flat owner, on whose complaint her father was held.
The police said flat owner Chandu Khan’s son has been arrested, based on a complaint lodged by the BJP leader’s daughter.
Kasba Police said that all the arrested will be produced in court later in the day, where police custody of the accused will be sought.
According to sources, the police are investigating whether Rakesh Singh’s minor daughter also had any role in the incident on Monday.
“We have received a counter-complaint today. The BJP leader’s daughter has made the complaint. The accused has been arrested on charges of molestation. We are investigating both incidents. Separate cases have been registered. Investigation is on,” said a senior officer of Kolkata Police.
Kolkata Police arrested Rakesh Singh and his son on charges of going on a rampage inside a housing complex in the Kasba area of Kolkata on Monday.
The police had also detained the minor daughter of the BJP leader over the same charge.
According to flat owner Chandu Khan’s son Rajarshi Khan, “Rakesh Singh has a flat on the fourth floor. He has forcibly occupied our flat on the third floor. He has kept his belongings there. I have repeatedly asked him to remove the belongings. But, he did not remove them. We were taking the workers today and putting their belongings down because we were paying rent. Then eight to nine people came and beat my father and brother. They had firearms in their hands. They beat them with gun butts. My father had to be admitted to the hospital. They also attacked me with a knife.”
However, the daughter has now filed a molestation case against the son of the flat owner.
In September, Rakesh Singh was arrested for vandalism at the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) office in central Kolkata. Later, he was released on bail.
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