Expand investigation into CAG revelations on Delhi liquor scam, "those involved in loot" should be punished: Congress

New Delhi [India], February 26 : The Congress on Wednesday demanded expanding the scope of investigation into the Delhi liquor scam following the revelations made in the CAG report that was tabled in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC office here, Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav and senior leader Sandeep Dikshit said that the CAG report should be investigated by the Public Accounts Committee. So, PAC should be formed as soon as possible, and those involved in the loot should be punished. They added that the details of the CAG report must be brought into public discourse also.
While welcoming the tabling of the CAG report on Delhi Excise Scam, Yadav and Dikshit said that the Congress stands vindicated since it had lodged the formal complaint against the liquor policy.
The Congress leaders demanded that the names of certain BJP leaders which were brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Police by the Congress leaders at the time of the implementation of the policy, must also be investigated.
Suggesting that the AAP and the BJP acted in collusion in ensuring the implementation of the excise policy, which was later withdrawn, they pointed out, the policy was approved by the then Lieutenant Governor.
They also referred to the permission granted for opening the liquor vends in the non-confirming wards. They said, the permission to open the liquor vends is granted by the municipal corporation. It was the BJP which was in power in municipal corporations that time, and which granted permission for opening the vends. They said it raises important questions, which need to be answered.
The Congress leaders also noted how "particular liquor brands were promoted and encouraged by the AAP government." Alleging a clear nexus between the AAP leaders and some liquor producers from Punjab, they said, these liquor brands had "connection with Punjab", where AAP was in power and its leaders had clear association with the producers of those brands.
Congress demanded that the scope of the investigation must be expanded and it should be found out that who took the decision to change three excise directors within one year, and why. They also demanded that it must be probed whether those contractors who got undue benefits had "bribed the BJP and the AAP leaders by way of purchasing the electoral bonds." They specifically referred to the September 5, 2022 complaint submitted by the Congress party, demanding probe against certain BJP leaders involved in the excise scam.