Cong alleges lighting scam,MCD to probe

Leader of Opposition Jai Kishan Sharma alleged that the electricity wing of the Engineering department had given a large sum of money to contractors for public light fixtures.

“For a single day,contractors were given approximately Rs 4 lakh for fixing lights at a park during an event at Ramlila Maidan,” he said.

According to him,a contractor was given Rs 4.34 lakh to make temporary lighting arrangements at the Baba Budh Dev Mandir for a festive event in Dhansa village on August 30.

“It is not advisable to use public money for a non-government function,” Sharma said. Excess public lighting arrangements were made in 6 other places in Dwarka. On one occasion,contractors charged Rs 2.9 lakh for Dussehra,but billed it under a different head — Bharat Milap.

The MCD spent Rs 2.65 lakh,Rs 3.08 lakh and Rs 2.69 lakh for lighting three different maidans in a single day in Dwarka,the Leader of Opposition,said.

“The cost seems very high for making temporary lighting arrangements. The total amount spent for Ramlila and Dussehra this year was Rs 17.6 lakh. Incidentally,such functions are organised by registered trusts,which have their own accounts and sponsors. As MCD is not the land-owning agency,it is not required to spend any money on them,” he said.

Jagdish Mamgain,chairman of the Works Committee,said overpaying has become the norm for ensuring completion of jobs.

“We have tried to check misappropriation,but to no avail,” Mamgain added.

With the Opposition demanding a CBI probe,MCD Commissioner K S Mehra said the charges would be looked into in detail.