'Way You Dragged...': Delhi HC Questions AAP Govt Over Delay in Action on CAG Report

New Delhi: A revenue loss of Rs 2,206 crore to the exchequer has been revealed in a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), highlighting the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi government's now-scrapped liquor policy. In a fresh development, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital has been pulled up by the Delhi High Court for not addressing the CAG Report in time.

Delhi HC Pulls Up Atishi Govt for Delaying Action on the CAG Report

The Delhi High Court on Monday criticised the Delhi Government for its delay in addressing the CAG reports, stating, "The way you have dragged your feet raises doubts about your bona fides." The court further emphasized, "You should have promptly forwarded the reports to the Speaker and initiated a discussion in the House."

The bench of Justice Sachin Datta questioned the Delhi Government's handling of the CAG reports. "The timeline is clear; you've dragged your feet to prevent the session from happening." The court further remarked.

"The delay in sending the reports to the LG and your handling of the matter raises doubts about your bona fides," it added. The court pointed out that the Delhi Government should have acted promptly in forwarding the reports to the Speaker. In response, the Delhi Government questioned how sessions could be held with elections approaching.

The High Court will hear the matter in detail today itself after lunch.

Last Hearing Updates in Matter at Delhi HC

In the matter on the last date of hearing, the Delhi Assembly Secretariat informed the Court that tabling the CAG reports on city administration in the Assembly would serve no useful purpose, given that its tenure ends in February. The submission was made in response to a petition by seven BJP MLAs regarding the issue of tabling the CAG reports in the Assembly.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court sought responses from the Delhi Government, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and other respondents regarding a petition filed by BJP MLAs. The petition called for the convening of a special session of the Assembly to present 14 CAG reports.

The Delhi Government informed the Court that all 14 reports had been sent to the Speaker.

Vijender Gupta, the counsel for the BJP MLAs, argued that as a member of the House, it was his right to receive and debate the reports. He urged the Court to direct the Speaker to convene a special session. However, the Court observed that it could not issue an immediate order to the Speaker and stated that both parties would need to be heard before a decision could be made.

The Delhi Government opposed the petition, labelling it politically motivated and indicated its intention to file a counter-affidavit. Gupta's counsel countered that the issue was not political but rather about ensuring government accountability, stressing that the matter should be resolved before the election announcements.

What Does the CAG Report Say?

Apart from a revenue loss of Rs 2,206 crore to the exchequer, the report also highlights significant lapses, policy violations and deviations. It also mentions that the policy by then ex-CM Arvind Kejriwal failed to achieve its intended goals and alleged that AAP leaders benefitted from kickbacks. Citing the CAG report, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack against former Delhi CM Kejriwal claiming of "big scams" in the renovation of his official residence.

BJP Launches Attack on AAP

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed the CAG report also indicated that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government under Kejriwal incurred much higher expenditures on advertisements for various programmes than the money spent on their implementation.

"Expenditure on the house and the political shop, no expenditure on people. This is the reality of Arvind Kejriwal’s party. But the people of Delhi are watching and listening, and they will definitely give response in the (upcoming) elections," Patra said. The BJP leader said that the cost for "remodelling" Kejriwal's previous official residence was initially estimated at Rs 7.61 crore, but it was "repeatedly" revised and increased at various stages with "no justification for the payments to the consultants".

A payment of Rs 33.66 crore was made for the construction of Kejriwel's 'Sheesh Mahal' in April 2022, which was 342.31 per cent higher than the initial estimate of Rs 7.61 crore, Patra claimed. "You will be surprised. The CAG report says the PWD made a proposal for remodelling Kejriwal's house, saying the existing single-storey building will be demolished to build a two-storey house to make it bigger. The proposal was accepted within a day," the BJP spokesman said.

"We have never heard of such a big scam anywhere," Patra added.

(Inputs from PTI)