Latest news with #ArvindKejriwal
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
No new excise policy for Delhi, current one to continue till March '26
With no clarity on a new excise policy that has been under preparation for over 33 months, the Delhi government on Friday announced the extension of the existing liquor policy till March 2026 — one of the longest such extension since the scrapping of the 2021-22 excise regime in September 2022 following allegations of irregularities. The last implemented excise policy (2021-22) was withdrawn following allegations of irregularities in September 2022.(Representational) The extension means the city will continue to operate under the 2020-21 policy — which has already been extended five times. The move, officials said, was necessary to ensure uninterrupted liquor supply as the current extension was set to expire on June 30. The last implemented excise policy (2021-22) was withdrawn following allegations of irregularities in September 2022. 'The competent authority has granted approval for continuation of the excise duty-based regime… for the excise year 2025-26 (July 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026),' said a June 27 order issued by the excise department. It confirmed that wholesale licenses (L-1, L-1F), retail (L-2), hotel, club, and restaurant licenses would be renewed on existing terms upon payment of the applicable fees. An excise official said licensees across all categories will need to renew their permits to continue operations, including Delhi government-run liquor vends. The rollout of a new policy has now been stalled for nearly two years. Initially expected in late 2022, its drafting was delayed first due to ongoing probes into alleged corruption in the 2021-22 excise policy and later by the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, and assembly elections in early 2025. Following a CBI inquiry and the arrests of several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including then chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the government reverted to the 2020-21 regime in September 2022. The continued extensions have created supply issues, with many popular Indian and international liquor brands — especially premium whiskies, vodkas, and wines — frequently out of stock. Industry observers and consumers have urged the government to revamp the policy to match the more liberal excise regimes in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where private retail players are allowed and customer experience is more robust. Currently, only government-run liquor outlets operate in Delhi. While the current policy technically allows for private participation, no decision has been taken on whether to allow private players until the new policy is implemented. The newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Delhi has said it is drafting a new excise regime that will focus on 'transparency, quality, and accountability,' with improved consumer experience and safeguards for public health. A high-level committee headed by chief secretary Dharmendra is reviewing practices from other states and consulting stakeholders. Chief minister Rekha Gupta recently told HT that the new policy aims to reduce business flight to neighbouring Gurugram and Noida. 'It will enhance consumer experience while ensuring regulatory checks,' she said. However, this policy appears to have been delayed for now. A separate circular issued Friday added that all existing licenses, including L-6 (government retail), L-6FG (supermarkets), and L-10 (hotels/clubs/restaurants), would be renewed for the nine-month period starting July 2025, subject to compliance with the Delhi Excise Act, 2009, and Delhi Excise Rules, 2010. Vinod Giri, director general of the Brewers Association of India, the extension of the policy should have been extended in entirety. 'Old policy had provision for private retail which is essential for ensuring a consumer friendly and market driven product availability and retailing experience in the city. So we urge the government to ensure that private vends is introduced using existing provisions in the policy as soon as possible which is in the interest of consumers, industry and also the government,' he said.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
After Delhi Heartbreak, Bypoll Wins Lift AAP's Spirits; Kejriwal Predicts Sweep In Punjab & Gujarat
AAP regained momentum with bypoll wins in Punjab and Gujarat after losing Delhi. Leaders celebrated at Kapurthala House, calling it a turning point. After its recent electoral setback in Delhi, where it lost control of the Capital after nearly a decade in power, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has found renewed momentum with bypoll victories in Punjab and Gujarat. Once seen as a Delhi-centric outfit, the party has steadily expanded its footprint over the years, forming a government in Punjab and opening its account in states like Gujarat– long considered BJP strongholds. The latest wins — in Ludhiana West (Punjab) and Visavadar (Gujarat) — have come as a morale booster for the AAP cadre, who see them as signs of public endorsement amid political headwinds. On Wednesday, senior leaders gathered at Kapurthala House in Delhi, the official residence of the Punjab Chief Minister, to celebrate the victories. Those in attendance included AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Manish Sisodia, Gopal Rai, and Atishi. In Delhi, the BJP ended AAP's 10-year reign, winning 48 out of 70 seats in the capital in the assembly election held in February this year. The AAP retained the Ludhiana West seat with its candidate Sanjeev Arora registering a victory against his nearest rival and Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu by a margin of 10,637 votes. Arora secured 35,179 votes while Ashu got 24,542 votes. BJP's Jiwan Gupta polled 20,323 votes while Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) nominee Parupkar Singh Ghuman received 8,203 votes. Ghuman lost his security deposit. The bypoll — held on June 19 — was necessitated following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January. The result was announced on Monday. AAP candidate Gopal Italia won the Visavadar seat in Gujarat, defeating his closest BJP rival by about 17,000 votes. AAP's Bhupendra Bhayani won the Visavadar seat, but he later defected to the BJP. Bypoll Victories Were Semifinals For 2027 Assembly Polls In Punjab, Gujarat: Kejriwal Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the Aam Aadmi Party's victories in the Punjab and Gujarat bypolls as a 'semifinal" for the 2027 assembly elections, asserting that the party is on track to form the next governments in both states. 'The bypolls in Gujarat and Punjab were a semifinal, and in 2027 assembly polls, we will cross 100 seats in Punjab and form the government," he said. Kejriwal congratulated Gopal Italia, who won in Gujarat and Sanjeev Arora, who emerged victorious from Ludhiana West, and thanked the people for ensuring the party's win. 'We have been in power in Punjab for the last three years. Leave anti-incumbency, there is pro-incumbency there. We had won 92 seats in the 2022 assembly polls, and it looks like we will cross 100 seats in 2027," he added. The AAP chief said the Congress top leadership is hand in glove with the BJP. 'AAP is fighting against the system. We have come to give clean politics to people. People are fed up of BJP in Gujarat. They did not have an option earlier. Congress is not an option. They see an option in AAP and have hope from the party," he said. 'We will form the government in Gujarat in 2027," Kejriwal said. (With PTI inputs) First Published:
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Akali Dal alleges Kejriwal hiring cronies, running Punjab like East India Company
Shiromani Akali Dal strongly condemned the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government's move to clandestinely recruit 22 officials in the Punjab Development Commission (PDC) to run 10 key departments and said that AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal was trying to run Punjab like the East India a statement, SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal said not only was the AAP high command taking over the entire governance by the formation of this illegal and unconstitutional Punjab Development Commission (PDC) but was also plundering Punjab's treasury by hiring outsiders at salaries ranging from Rs 3.30 lakh per month for advisors and Rs 2.65 lakh per month for digital/communication disclosed that these departments include Agriculture, Jobs & Economy, Education and Skilling, Health and Social Welfare, Power, Infrastructure, Culture and Tourism, State Finances, Governance and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. He said that, shockingly, the notification omitted any requirement for Punjabi proficiency or preference for Punjabis, clearing the path for recruitment of AAP cronies. He said this was the same pattern of Delhi-based appointments of Punjab CM's advisors and chairpersons of corporations/boards, all loyal to AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal and his loyalist Manish Badal said Puppet CM Bhagwant Mann who had already been stripped of all authority with key powers being transferred to the Chief Secretary, had completely surrendered Punjab to looters.'It is high time for Bhagwant Mann to step down or get ready to face strong protests, as in the name of 'Rangla Punjab', he is turning the State into Kangla Punjab'.He said Punjabis were watching every move by Delhi-based people who were acting as officials of the East India company and would give them a befitting reply in the 2027 elections.- EndsMust Watch
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Defunct for over a year, AAP's flagship doorstep delivery scheme likely to be discontinued soon in Delhi
With the BJP government planning to set up Common Service Centers (CSCs) across the Capital to provide hassle-free, multi-department services to people in a time-bound manner at a cost of just Rs 50, the doorstep delivery scheme in Delhi, introduced by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is likely to be discontinued soon, said officials. The doorstep delivery scheme, which has been inactive for over a year, was one of the flagship schemes of the previous AAP government, which allowed access to more than 30 services — across government departments — from the convenience of their homes. Officials also said that the Centre's CSC scheme had already been implemented in other states, but was not there in Delhi. According to a senior official, the matter was in the agenda of the Cabinet meeting held on Monday. 'The doorstep delivery scheme started by the previous government has been defunct for more than a year now. The citizens are running from pillar to post for every single work — from the registration of birth or caste certificates to applying a driving license. People stand in long queues, and sometimes, they go to the wrong office. They face a lot of hassles. To help the citizens and provide better services, the government is planning to set up these CSCs,' said a senior official. Citizens can apply for any service from any centre. The BJP government is mulling hiring a private firm to set up common service centers in all the districts of the city where people can go and access all e-district services by paying just Rs 50. 'Currently, if you want to register birth certificate, apply for a driver license or let's say you want to register for a marriage certificate or get an affidavit on income or apply for any government welfare schemes, you have to visit a particular office of the DM or or the SDM or a particular department the works pertains to… once the CSCs are set up, you can visit any nearby centers and apply…You can be a resident of Dwarka, but you can apply at the center in Mayur Vihar,' said an official. Citizens with computers and internet facilities can register for the service from their homes. However, the physical centres will help assist people without computers or mobiles and those who are uneducated, said officials. The AAP's doorstep delivery scheme expired in November 2023 and was extended till March 31, 2024. At the time, an administrative reforms department proposal was sent to the Cabinet for further extension ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. However, the scheme was never extended as the then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in the excise policy case. A helpline number, 1076, which had received over 1.40 lakh calls in 2023, went inactive, said officials. Citizens would dial the helpline number seeking assistance, and then a mobile sahayak or assistant would visit their house and help them in filling forms, among other things, said officials. In the upcoming scheme, all citizens services from 14 departments, such as the Transport, Revenue Department, MCD, Labour, Food and Supplies Department, and Social Welfare Department, will be available, officials added.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kejriwal trying to run Punjab like East India Company: SAD
Jun 25, 2025 06:24 AM IST The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday condemned the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government's move to recruit 22 'outsiders' in the Punjab Development Commission to run 10 key state departments and alleged that AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal was trying to run Punjab like the East India Company. In a statement issued here, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said, 'The notification omitted any requirement for Punjabi proficiency or preference for Punjabis, clearing the path for recruitment of AAP cronies.' (HT File) In a statement issued here, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said, 'Not only was the AAP high command taking over the entire governance by formation of this Punjab Development Commission but also plundering Punjab's treasury by hiring outsiders at salaries ranging from ₹ 3.30 lakh per month for advisers and ₹ 2.65 lakh per month for digital per communication officers'. He said these departments include agriculture, jobs and economy, education and skilling, health and social welfare, power, infrastructure, culture and tourism, state finances, governance and monitoring evaluation and learning. He said, 'The notification omitted any requirement for Punjabi proficiency or preference for Punjabis, clearing the path for recruitment of AAP cronies.' He said this was the 'same pattern of Delhi-based appointments of Punjab CM's advisers and chairpersons of corporations and boards'. 'It is high time for CM Bhagwant Mann to step down or get ready to face strong protests,' he added.
