Whiff of irregularities? CM orders 5-yr audit of liquor retail cos

New Delhi: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered an audit and cross-verification of financial records of state-run entities involved in liquor retail over the past five years amid concerns over possible irregularities, the chief minister’s office (CMO) has said.She made it clear that any lapse — be it negligence, mismatch in accounts or financial mismanagement — won’t be tolerated. “She noted that recent findings indicate that accounts in some of these undertakings were not properly reconciled for extended periods, raising the risk of discrepancies and potential losses to the public exchequer,” the CMO said.Liquor retail operations in Delhi are currently handled by govt entities — Delhi Consumer’s Cooperative Wholesale Store (DCCWS), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC) and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) — all of which run outlets across the city.The CM said the objective is not just to correct records but to establish a robust system of financial oversight involving strict monitoring, reconciliation, and end-to-end verification and validation of accounts.The audit and cross-verification of the financial records will cover sales, purchase and stock and cash accounts, with every entry subjected to thorough scrutiny. These companies have also been asked to work closely with the excise department to ensure complete validation of records. To strengthen accountability, the excise commissioner will independently cross-check data related to sales, inventory and revenue.Gupta said strict action will be taken against anyone found responsible for discrepancies or loss of revenue. “Safeguarding public money is our top priority, and there will be zero tolerance for lapses,” she said.All concerned departments and agencies have been instructed to compile a detailed report of the entire exercise and submit it to the finance department within two months from the date of the order.