Chief Secy calls meet to discuss Games projects

“Auditors make site visits,interact with junior officials and collect information as a routine practice. Senior officials come into the picture only at a later stage,if auditors are not satisfied with the information they have,” he added.

The meeting notice was sent out on Tuesday to the secretary and the engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department,commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi,chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council,and Transport Commissioner and Chief Engineer of the Delhi Development Authority,among others.

A top official said on the condition of anonymity,“The Chief Secretary met Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday,soon after the Group of Ministers met,and the meeting notice was sent out the next morning.”

At a Cabinet meeting on Monday,Dikshit instructed ministers that information being shared with auditors must be screened by heads of departments and senior officials to avoid unnecessary suspicion and attention. She had also stated that information and clarifications sought by auditors during inspections should be given promptly and effectively.

“If we don’t tighten the screws now,junior officials who actually compile the information and interact with auditors will slacken and create problems,which we can’t afford,” the official said.