The Delhi Assembly has taken a firm stand following a CAG report that revealed a massive revenue loss of ₹2,026.91 crore in the excise department. Speaker Vijender Gupta has directed the government to fix all identified irregularities by January 31, 2027. The audit report covers the period from 2017-18 to 2021-22, focusing on the implementation of the old and new excise policies.
Major findings of the CAG and PAC reports
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) highlighted specific areas where the state exchequer suffered heavy losses. The investigation found that the department failed to retender shops and granted unauthorized waivers to licensees. The financial impact is broken down into several categories as shown below:
| Reason for Loss | Amount (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| Non-retendering of 19 vacant zones | ₹890.15 Crore |
| License fee waivers under 2021-22 policy | ₹144 Crore |
| Concessions given to zonal licensees | ₹941 Crore |
| Total Revenue Deficit | ₹2,026.91 Crore |
Speaker Vijender Gupta described the findings as shocking and pointed out violations in license issuance and a lack of transparency in pricing. PAC Chairman Ajay Mahawar alleged that certain rules were manipulated to favor specific bidders through collusion.
New e-Abkari portal and strict registration rules
To improve transparency and prevent future losses, the Delhi government has introduced a new e-Abkari portal developed by the National Informatics Center (NIC). This portal is designed to streamline the retail liquor business and ensure every transaction is tracked. According to the new guidelines, all L-1 wholesalers had to complete new brand registrations before the start of the new financial year.
- All existing Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) expired on March 31, 2026.
- Trade on old SKUs is strictly prohibited after the deadline.
- Import permits and barcoding will now only be allowed for new registered SKU IDs.
- The move aims to bring accountability among department officials and retailers.
On March 30, 2026, the Assembly Speaker announced that all seven pending CAG audit reports have been placed before the house. This marks the restoration of the financial scrutiny cycle in the Delhi Assembly, ensuring that committees can now review all departmental records without delay.
