Intensifying the face-off between Raj Niwas and the Delhi government over the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena Saturday approved the suspension and initiation of disciplinary proceedings for “serious lapses” against 11 officers of the Excise department including the then Excise Commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna and Deputy Commissioner Anand Tiwari.
The others suspended are Assistant Commissioners Pankaj Bhatnagar, Narinder Singh, Neeraj Gupta, Section Officers Kuljeet Singh, Subhash Ranjan and Suman and Dealing Hands Satya Brat Bhargav, Sachin Solanki and Gaurav Mann.
Last month, Lt Governor Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, putting Sisodia, in-charge of the excise department, directly in the line of fire.
The move followed a report submitted by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar on the matter. It alleged corruption and violation of transaction of business rules. The report alleged that undue benefits were provided to liquor vend licencees in lieu of “kickbacks” and “commissions”.
Krishna was transferred after the Excise department replied to the Chief Secretary on the seven questions he raised on the excise policy.
