City dry days pruned unilaterally: DoV

Order not communicated to the Lieutenant-Governor for approval, says inquiry report

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in his capacity as the Excise Minister, had overruled the pruning of the number of dry days in the Capital “without assigning any reason” in 2015 but allegedly unilaterally decided in favour of it after implementation of the revamped Excise Policy 2021-22, the Directorate of Vigilance (DoV) that conducted an inquiry into the matter has said.

The report further states that the new policy had sought to “distort” market prices to “tilt market forces” in favour of select liquor licensees against others in relation to hefty discounts on liquor.

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In December 2015, under the old excise policy regime, the then Assistant Commissioner had proposed to reduce the number of dry days to three from 23 like in the neighbouring States of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana as liquor smuggling occurs on such days, the report stated.

The then Principal Secretary (Finance) on 09.12.2015 proposed to hold a meeting so that number of dry days is pruned. However, the Hon’ble Dy. CM overruled the proposal… without assigning any reason” the report stated.

However, following implementation of the new policy, according to the report, two files regarding the number of dry days came into existence for the commission of “some illegal acts”.

“While the proposal for reduction in the number of dry days was rejected by the Hon’ble Dy. CM on 11.12.2015 without assigning any reason, however, this time the same was approved by him on 06.01.2021 without even taking approval of the Council of Ministers” the report stated.