Sunil Jakhar submits memorandum to EC, demands probe into alleged corruption in Punjab Excise Policy
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 23, 2024: With the Enforcement Directorate arresting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Excise Policy case, Punjab president of Bhartiya Janata Party, Sunil Jakhar, requested the chief electoral officer of Punjab to order a detailed investigation by the ED into alleged corruption.
The BJP delegation, led by Sunil Jakhar, submitted a memorandum to Sibin C, Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab, and demanded an ED probe into planned corruption in Punjab Excise Policy. Those present in the delegation include—union minister Som Prakash, Former Union Minister Vijay Sampla, Former State Presidents Ashwani Sharma and Manoranjan Kalia, General Secretary of Punjab BJP Parminder Brar, MLA Jangi Lal Mahajan, National Executive Member Sardar Harjit Singh Grewal, State Convenor Legal Cell NK Verma, State Convenor of Cells Ranjan Kamra, State Media Incharge Vineet Joshi and Senior BJP Leader Bibi Amanjot Ramoowalia.
In the memorandum, Jakhar said, “The need and salience of this probe assume enhanced significance in the backdrop of recent developments with Constitutional Courts of the country not only refusing to bail applications of already arrested Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Cabinet Minister Satyender Jain and AAP MP Sanjay Singh but also registering strong observations against the Delhi CM while acknowledging the prima facie establishment of kickbacks and money trail in the Delhi Excise Policy.”
“In Punjab, where Bhagwant Mann-led government acted at the behest of its Delhi masters now behind bars to allow official plunder of Punjab's resources; and there is an apprehension that Punjab has lost at least Rs. 1000 crore in revenue due to this favoritism and illegality perpetrated through the Punjab Excise Policy. The fact that one such company whose proprietor is behind bars already for receiving illegal benefits under the Delhi Excise Policy was handpicked and awarded a 40% share in the Punjab Liquor trade after the inception of the AAP government in the state might just be the tip of the iceberg as far. as blatant connivance of Bhagwant Mann-led government in appropriating the liquor trade in Punjab is concerned.”
“The probe, will not only unearth corruption by AAP in Punjab but also would be a step to ensure an end to further eroding of Punjab's taxpayers' money at the hands of this regime, Jakhar said, adding that officers of the Punjab Excise Department had been Coerced to sign on the dotted line by State AAP leadership at the behest of their Delhi masters.
Jakhar urged the Commission to also direct ED to safeguard those officers and bring out truth to ensure justice to the people of Punjab. “Some of those officers have already faced questioning and the ED probe must take it to its logical conclusion.”
“It is also a genuine apprehension that black money so received by AAP through kickbacks will be put to use to influence voters during ensuing Lok Sabha Elections. Moreover, under the patronage of AAP leadership in Punjab, liquor barons already behind bars and gangsters in jails have been running the liquor mafia with impunity”, the memorandum further read.
To ensure elections in Punjab take place under a free and fair environment, Jakhar requested CEO to direct ED to probe the smuggling of liquor from Punjab being facilitated by the state government at a huge cost to state exchequer and public health. The ongoing reports of human tragedy in Sangrur constituency - from where both the CM Bhagwant Mann and FM Harpal Cheema represent the people in Vidhan Sabha, due to spurious liquor begs for immediate action.
“By acting swiftly, the ED probe must seize evidence of collusion of state government to inflict financial loot of Punjab and bring the guilty to book like the Central Agency has done in Delhi Excise Scandal”, Jakhar concluded.