AAP govt implements excise policy in Delhi without LG Jung's nod

In what points to the opening of a fresh front in the continuing stand-off between the Arvind Kejriwal government and Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, the former has gone ahead with the implementation of the new excise policy without the latter's approval.

Sources said that the AAP government did not seek the LG's nod for implementing the new excise policy, in place from August 1.

Under the new policy, the government would allow micro- breweries at hotels and restaurants against a licence.

"The government has not sent the file pertaining to the new excise policy to the Lt Governor for his approval so far," sources said, adding that, every year, the excise policy is sent to LG before its implementation in the national capital after it is passed by the Cabinet.

But this time, no such file has so far been sent to the LG's office.

The government, however, sent the proposal for increasing luxury tax to the LG's office. But no other proposal of the excise department, including that allowing the setting up of micro-breweries, was sent for the LG's nod.

Earlier in the day, hours after a statement by the LG's office, Delhi government sent a file pertaining to the enhancement of circle rates on agriculture land for Jung's approval.

The LG's office had sought the file pertaining to a notification on enhancement of circle rates on agricultural land saying that the AAP government did not seek Jung's approval for the same.