Delhi's alcohol policy, during these six months with five dry days: Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday...
Digital Desk: The Delhi government reinstated the old excise scheme for another six months today. Government authorities have been directed to develop a new policy as soon as possible.
During these six months, there will be five dry days: Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, Buddha Purnima, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Eid-ul-Zuha.
On August 31, last year, the Delhi government cancelled the 2021-22 Excise Policy, citing claims of irregularities and favoritism in giving liquor license's to private shop owners.
The Delhi Lieutenant Governor requested a CBI investigation into the suspected policy lapses that led to the recent detention of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Under the 2021-22 liquor strategy, 849 liquor vending license's were awarded to private enterprises through open bidding. Delhi was divided into 32 zones, each with a maximum of 27 vends. Bidding was done zone by zone, with each bidder limited to bidding for a maximum of two zones.
Formerly, four government entities operated 475 of the city's 864 liquor establishments.
On "moral" and "ethical" grounds, both the Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) rejected the new policy.
Following Mr Sisodia's detention, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) charged him with violating the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
However, the policy was passed by the Delhi Cabinet led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's in the middle of the second wave of COVID-19. Mr. Kejriwal's government argued that the strategy was designed to maximize revenue.
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