Probe ordered into grant of liquor licence against norms

Delhi Government has ordered a high-level probe into grant of liquor licences to over hundred departmental stores across the city to allow retail sale of beer and mixed alcoholic beverages, flouting norms.

Delhi Government has ordered a high-level probe into grant of liquor licences to over hundred departmental stores across the city to allow retail sale of beer and mixed alcoholic beverages, flouting norms.

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The probe has been ordered by Finance Minister A K Walia after finding several discrepancies in granting the licences.

On April 16, the Government had suspended liquor licences of 115 departmental stores, which were given permission for retail sale of beer and mixed alcoholic beverages in the city.

"I have ordered a thorough probe into the entire issue. We will not spare any officials found guilty in the probe," Walia said. Earlier in the day, Walia had a meeting with the Excise Commissioner and believed to have told him to conclude the probe as early as possible.

It has been alleged that some officials of the excise department had flouted laid down procedures to grant L-53 licenses to departmental stores.

Walia said, "It was found that one entity was even granted 10 licences. Licences were issued to some departmental stores which were set up overnight only to get the licences."

The departmental stores were issued L-53 licences for retail sale of beer and mixed alcoholic beverages during the last six months.

As per the norms, a departmental store should have 500 sq feet area and they are allowed to use only 10 per cent of the floor area for storing liquor. Officials said in case of many departmental stores, this norm was not followed.

Walia had also directed the Excise Department to soon issue show-cause notices to all the departmental stores which were found violating norms or which were granted licences without fulfilling the criteria.