New Delhi : Swaraj Abhiyan on Thursday said the Delhi government’s decision of not granting new liquor licenses to restaurants and malls anymore this financial year was guided by immediate political considerations in view of the upcoming Punjab elections.
National Spokesperson of Swaraj Abhiyan, Anupam, said: “We will expose a scam of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the name of granting liquor licenses to malls in coming days.”
“It is evidently clear that this announcement is guided by immediate political considerations in view of the Punjab elections rather than any genuine concern for the people of Delhi,” Anupam said.
“It has come to our knowledge through media reports that AAP government took this decision not to grant new liquor licenses to restaurants and malls till this financial year. It is Delhi’s people victory. The government has said the announcement will be in effect only till March 31, which clears all doubts about the AAP government’s real intent,” he added.
He also said that Delhi government’s excise policy should be determined keeping in mind the concerns of the people and not political gains.
Swaraj Abhiyan also said it would not be surprised if the AAP leadership happens to already have planned to get the decision legally challenged by the liquor lobby, in a bid to weaken the case.
“A tacit understanding between the liquor lobby and AAP government, which have played hand in glove in the 18 months of power, cannot be ruled out,” he alleged.
Swaraj Abhiyan had earlier exposed through RTI that AAP government, which came to power on the promise of de-addiction, has granted an alarming 399 liquor licenses in just 371 working days.