The role of the then excise commissioner, principal secretary (Finance) and other officials from the excise department and finance department are under the scanner after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor on Saturday directed the chief secretary to submit a detailed report about the role played by the officers and the civil servants in the formulation, amendment, and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. According to sources, while recommending a CBI probe in the Delhi Government’s excise policy, the LG has sought a comprehensive report of activities, dealings, and scrutiny of the files and details of the role played by the officers.
“Taking serious note of the gross violations and deliberate lapses in the formulation, amendment, and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, that came to the fore in the chief secretary’s report to the LG and the CM under Rule 57 of Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR), the Saxena has asked the chief secretary, Delhi Government, to submit a detailed report about the role played by officers and civil servants in the entire matter,” Sources said.
“It was the duty of the officers to highlight, flag, and bring to the notice of the chief secretary or competent authority, any irregularities taking place under their watch. However, with the records available so far, it is more than evident that not only did certain officers, posted on certain positions, ignored and facilitated decisions that were in complete violation of the GNCTD, Act, 1991, Transaction of Business Rules, 1993, Delhi Excise Act, 2009 and Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, but prima facie acted as proactive conduits in formulating and implementing illegal orders solely at the behest of the Minister In-charge, Manish Sisodia,” sources said.
“The LG has sought inter-alia, a comprehensive report of activities, dealings, and scrutiny of files thereof and details of the role played by officers if any, thereto. Appropriate action as per law will be taken against such officers once the report is submitted and examined. The aim should be to achieve and establish total and bi-partisan probity, transparency and corruption-free administration, the LG has underlined,” sources added.
AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Friday defended Sisodia, saying he was a “hardcore honest man” and claimed that he could be arrested in some fake case.