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Sukhbir demands probe into alleged ₹ 500 crores excise scam by Punjab govt
Sukhbir Badal sought a fair inquiry against all political leaders, including Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and MP Raghav Chadha as well as Punjab government officials who allegedly facilitated the excise scam
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday sought action by the Punjab governor into an alleged ₹ 500 crores excise scam by the Aam Aadmi party (AAP) government in the state.
Addressing a press conference here, Badal sought a fair inquiry against all political leaders, including Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and MP Raghav Chadha as well as Punjab government officials who allegedly facilitated the scam.
Asserting that AAP had followed the Delhi Model while framing the Punjab’s excise policy, he said, “like in Delhi, nearly the entire liquor trade was handed over to two companies- Brindco owned by Aman Dhall and Anant Wines which was owned by the Mehra group- in Punjab”.
He said the profit margin of the two companies doubled from the earlier 5% to 10% to facilitate a quid pro quo. “Hundreds of crores have been passed back to the AAP government in Punjab and the party high command in Delhi,” Sukhbir alleged.
“It is stipulated (in the excise policy) that each liquor manufacturing company would choose one licensee to sell its products in the state and that the L-1 licensee should not be a manufacturer in India or abroad. It also stated that L 1 licensees should have a turnover of at least ₹ 30 crore per annum and should not have any stake in the retail market in Punjab which took the Punjab liquor traders out of the race,” he said.
“While MP Raghav Chadha spearheaded meetings with members of the two groups in a suite of a hotel in Chandigarh, two meetings were held at Sisodia’s residence on May 30 and June 6 which were also attended by Punjab government officers, including the financial commissioner (excise) and the excise commissioner.
“The names of the private players who were called to fix the deals were kept secret with Sisodia referring to them at ‘Mr Mango’ and ‘Mr Cucumber’ during the meeting with Punjab government officials,” Badal alleged.
Will file complaints with CBI, ED: Badal
Badal said that he will also file complaints with the central bureau of investigation (CBI) and the enforcement directorate (ED) into kickbacks received by AAP from the liquor cartel in Punjab.
Asserting that CBI and ED probes could reveal the truth into the matter, Badal said the movements of the AAP leaders and officers should be checked as well as examination of CCTV cameras at the said locations. ENDS
