Former Union Minister and Bathinda MP, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, has called upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to initiate thorough investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the alleged Punjab liquor scam. Badal contends that the scam reeks of corruption and has caused significant losses, amounting to hundreds of crores, to the state’s treasury.
In support of her request, Harsimrat Badal has submitted two memorandums from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to the Punjab Governor, along with a report from the cabinet subcommittee that disapproved of the 2022-23 excise policy. Amit Shah had previously prompted Badal to provide a detailed representation following her discussion of the corruption allegations in the excise policy during a parliamentary session.
Harsimrat Badal’s letter to the Home Minister states that the SAD believes the Punjab excise policy’s objective mirrors that of Delhi’s – to consolidate wholesale liquor trade for a select few companies, resulting in increased profit margins. Allegations also suggest that this facilitated an exchange of funds between the Punjab and Delhi branches of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Badal insists that exposing the plundering of Punjab’s treasury is vital, as is ensuring accountability for those involved.
The SAD’s memorandums submitted by Badal underscore the similarities between Delhi and Punjab’s excise policies. Both policies mandate that the L-1 licensees must not be alcohol manufacturers anywhere, domestically or internationally. These conditions, including a requirement for licensees to have a yearly turnover of at least Rs 30 crore, effectively marginalized Punjab’s liquor traders. Moreover, the lion’s share of wholesale liquor trade in the state was awarded to two companies headed by Aman Dhall (Brindco) and the Mehra family (Anant Wines).
Badal also divulged details about preliminary meetings held to draft the Punjab excise policy. MP Raghav Chadha orchestrated these discussions at Hyatt Chandigarh, followed by gatherings hosted by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and MP Raghav Chadha in Delhi. The Bathinda MP insists that CCTV footage and tower location data can verify these claims.
Highlighting a cabinet subcommittee report, Badal asserts that the committee effectively disavowed the previous excise policy. The report highlighted gaps and discrepancies in the 2022-23 policy, revealing irregularities in the transfer of rebate benefits and misuse of monopolistic power by L-1 licensees.
In conclusion, Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s fervent appeal for CBI and ED investigations underscores the seriousness of the alleged Punjab liquor scam. The call for accountability and transparency resonates as Punjab’s exchequer faces the fallout from these allegations.
