National News
Explained: Delhi Excise policy faulty or faulty implementation?

AAP government’s new excise policy 2021-22 that came into force on November 17 last year has drawn severe criticism from the opposition and the industry experts in the national capital for multiple reasons.
Under the new policy, the retail licences were given to private bidders for 849 vends across the city divided into 32 zones. Opposing the policy, the opposition has lodged complaint with the L-G as well as central agencies seeking a probe into it.
The allegations
Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena has recommended a CBI probe based on the Delhi Chief Secretary’s July 8 report which has flagged “deliberate and gross procedural lapses to provide post tender undue benefits to liquor licensees for the year 2021-2022”.
The Chief Secretary report has also pointed out prima facie violations of GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009 and Delhi Excise Rules-2010.
As the Excise Department is headed by Manish Sisodia, he faces allegations of financial quid pro quo in executing major decisions around the excise policy which reportedly huge financial implications.
He also extended undue financial favours to the liquor licensees much after the tenders had been awarded and thus caused huge losses to the ex-chequer.
The Excise Department reportedly gave a waiver of Rs 144.36 crore to the licencees on the tendered licence fee citing pandemic as an excuse. The excise department under Sisodia revised the formula of calculation of rates of foreign liquor and removed the levy of import pass fee of Rs 50 per case on beer on in its November 8, 2021 order.
The AAP government is also accused of attempting to legalise “these illegal decisions” by getting the nod of cabinet as recently July 14 which is said to be in violation of laid down rules and procedures.
Aam Admi Party’s defence
In a press briefing shortly after LG recommended a CBI probe, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the case “false” and said that BJP is afraid of AAP’s expansion.
“The whole case is fabricated. I have known Sisodia for the past 22 years. He is honest. When he became a minister the Delhi government schools were in a poor condition. He worked day and night to bring them to the level where a judge’s child and a rickshaw driver’s child sit together to study,” said CM Kejriwal.
Policy that led to liquor crisis
Delhi residents are facing the shortage of liquor of their choice as the capital city is witnessing shortage across various categories at many outlets in the city. Even some premium category whiskies are not available in below one litre quantity at various outlets.
On being asked about the reason behind such shortage, the outlet keepers have one word to say “supply chain problem”. Among many other reasons, one important factor causing shortage is the new policy which has led to the sharp decline in the number of wine shops being operated currently in the market.
“Only around 464 shops are in operation currently in the market whereas the city like Delhi must have around 850 outlets to serve the residents”, said an industry expert on condition of anonymity.
What Expert says
The industry expert says that policy was good, however on ground level, the implementation was not good. “I believe that the Excise policy was and is fundamentally good. It takes a different and progressive look at alcohol sale and consumption befitting a modern metropolis that Delhi is. However, I think that implementation on ground fell short. It was too slow, in patches and unable to break away from historical bureaucratic apathy towards trade. In its concept, the size of zones is too big”, Vinod Giri, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) told IANS.
Giri said that the industry has repeatedly raised the matter of keeping zone sizes small to reduce financial stakes of licensees, improve loss bearing capacity if any, and prevent monopolies. “We also have suggested more simplicity and flexibility in operational issues such as license ownership changes. I am of view that with some tweaking the policy can deliver what it was meant to – positive dividend for all stakeholders”, Giri told IANS.
Opposition’s Claims
Union minister and New Delhi BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi on Friday alleged the violations by Delhi government in the Delhi liquor policy.
Addressing a press conference, Lekhi showed documents saying that they “exposed” discrepancies by the government in giving waivers to liquor firms.
Lekhi claimed, “firms were given a waiver of Rs 144.36 crore on 14 July 2022 without the Cabinet’s nod.”
She further claimed that in another instance, a company was returned its Rs 30 crore earnest deposit money without following the due procedure.
National News
241 dead, one survivor as Air India Dreamliner crashes after takeoff from Ahmedabad: Air India

New Delhi, June 13: In what is being described as one of the worst aviation disasters in Indian history, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport.
The aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, plunged into a residential complex near BJ Medical College, killing 241 people on board.
The ill-fated flight had 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew, and two pilots. According to officials, only one person, a British national of Indian origin seated in 11A, survived the crash and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
The aircraft took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.38 p.m. (IST) on Thursday before losing control moments later and crashing into a densely populated area, igniting a massive blaze and triggering emergency response teams across the city.
Air India confirmed the accident in an official statement on X: “UPDATE: Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.”
The airline also shared the nationality breakdown of passengers: 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
“Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones. A team of caregivers from Air India is now in Ahmedabad to provide additional support,” the statement added.
The national carrier has pledged full cooperation with authorities investigating the cause of the crash and has established dedicated helplines for families seeking information.
Domestic callers can reach the support team at 1800 5691 444, while international callers are advised to dial +91 8062779200.
Regular updates will be provided through Air India’s official website and its X handle.
National News
Plastic nurdle spill from sunken cargo ship reaches TN’s Dhanushkodi sanctuary, raising alarm

Chennai, June 10: A plastic nurdle spill from the sunken cargo ship MSC ELSA 3 has spread into the newly declared Dhanushkodi Greater Flamingo Sanctuary in Ramanathapuram district, threatening one of India’s most fragile coastal ecosystems.
The MSC ELSA 3, a Liberian-flagged vessel, sank off the Kochi coast a few weeks ago while carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials, 12 with calcium carbide, 367 tonnes of furnace oil, and 84 tonnes of diesel.
The ship’s cargo manifest remains undisclosed, fuelling speculation about the full extent of environmental risk.
Dhanushkodi Sanctuary, located within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, supports 128 species of birds — including Greater and Lesser Flamingos — and is home to sea turtles, crustaceans, molluscs, and fish. Its dunes, marshes, and seagrass beds form part of the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds.
The nurdles — tiny plastic pellets used in industrial manufacturing — resemble fish eggs and can be deadly to marine life. When ingested, they cause internal blockages, starvation, and often death. They also absorb toxins, entering the food chain and posing long-term health hazards.
About 80 bags, each weighing 25 kilograms, have reportedly washed ashore along a 12-km coastal stretch. Affected sites include the Dhanushkodi old church, Irattaithalai, Mugandharayan Chathiram, Gothanda Ramar temple, and Patchappatti village.
Carried by ocean currents from the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanniyakumari coast, the spill now threatens the adjacent Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, home to vital coral reefs and seagrass beds.
Experts warn these habitats could be smothered by plastic debris, blocking sunlight and disrupting photosynthesis.
Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon said, “We’ve identified between 15 and 30 nurdle bags along the coast. A special team has been deployed for cleanup, and additional teams are monitoring for further debris.”
He urged the public not to panic, stating that swift action was underway.
The disaster evokes memories of the 2021 X-Press Pearl incident in Sri Lanka, where 1,680 tonnes of nurdles led to mass marine deaths and crippled fisheries.
Studies showed severe impacts on plankton and larval life forms, threatening entire food chains.
Cleanup efforts in Ramanathapuram face challenges due to the nurdles’ buoyancy and small size, worsened by monsoon waves that break them into microplastics.
With the 61-day annual fishing ban nearing its end, fishermen fear reduced fish catches and consumer hesitancy could harm their livelihoods if the spill worsens.
Environmentalists are calling for urgent intervention, cargo transparency, and long-term containment measures to prevent irreversible damage to one of India’s most critical marine ecosystems.
National News
Eight Punjab and Haryana HC judges take lead to boost Kashmir tourism post Pahalgam terror attack

Srinagar, June 9: To give a boost to Kashmir tourism post Pahalgam terror attack, eight judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court are visiting the valley along with their families.
The visit of the legal personalities along with their families carries a powerful message for the revival of tourism in Kashmir, which got shattered after the Pahalgam terror attack.
On April 22, Pakistan-backed terrorists of Lashkar-e-Kashmir (LeT) killed 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local pony owner.
The pony owner sacrificed his life while trying to protect the tourists from the bullets of the terrorists.
The terror attack caused outrage in the entire country, and to avenge the killings of innocent civilians, the Indian Armed Forces carried out airstrikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.
In retaliation for India’s attack on terrorist infrastructure, Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling on civilian facilities in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.
Eighteen civilians were killed in Pakistan shelling, 13 of them in Poonch district, in addition to the destruction of scores of homes, shops, a temple, a mosque, a church and a Gurudwara.
The itinerary of the visiting high court judges includes visits to the Mughal Gardens of Nishat and Shalimar, Shikara rides on the Dal Lake, a visit to the historic Pari Mahal and buying a few handicrafts at the local market.
There could be no better omen for the revival of tourism in Kashmir than the decision of the honourable justices of the High Court to come here along with their families.
Coinciding with the visit of these dignitaries, local tour and travel operators and hotel owners are reporting a gradual rise in the tourist bookings that had virtually stopped after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Tour and travel operators and others connected with the tourist industry have expressed hope that the visit by the most respected legal dignitaries, like the high court judges, will restore confidence among visitors, both domestic and foreign, that Kashmir is a safe tourist destination.
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