CWG probe: Purchase of ACs,furniture by DDA under scanner

They alleged that authorities had diluted certain norms in the tenders floated for buying various items to be used in residential complexes and other utilities inside the Village to favour a particular party.

“We are awaiting a report from the DDA in this regard. We shall be able to decide on future course of action only after getting it,” a senior CVC official said.

About 1,168 apartments comprising 4,008 bedrooms were built by DDA through Emaar-MGF,a real estate firm.

On Wednesday,the Urban Development Ministry had directed Delhi Development Authority for confiscation of the Rs 183 crore bank guarantee furnished by Emaar-MGF and legal action against it.

Besides,a huge kitchen and training facility,temporary recreational parlours like bar,restaurant,bank,cyber cafe were also made for the 12-day sporting extravaganza from October 3.

In reply to an RTI application filed by PTI,the CVC had given details of 22 projects executed by different government agencies where discrepancies have been detected,excluding the previous 16 which were flagged earlier for alleged financial and administrative discrepancies.

Complaints regarding alleged alleged irregularities in purchase of Air Conditioners,furniture and kitchen equipment for Commonwealth Games Village were received and being looked into,the CVC said.

They said the complaints have already been forwarded to the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) of concerned ministries or departments.

Sources said the discrepancies like payment to non-existent parties,willful delay in execution of contracts,over-inflated price and bungling in purchase of equipment through tendering have also been noticed.

“The total misappropriation amount may touch a figure of Rs 5,000-8,000 crore,which is quiet huge and alarming. The Commission is still awaiting reports from various departments and cannot give the exact amount involved in the bungling,” a senior CVC official said requesting anonymity.

Out of the total of 22 projects being probed by CVC,six were carried out by the Sports ministry,four by Delhi Development Authority,three by Organising Committee and two each by Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Central Public Works Department.

One work each relating to Department of Commerce,Indian Meteorological Department and New Delhi Municipal Council is also being probed,the RTI reply said.

The matter regarding alleged manipulation of tenders by Indian Meteorological Department and its senior officers is under investigation by the CVC,it said.

An analysis by Chief Technical Examination Wing of CVC had earlier found alleged financial and administrative irregularities in 16 construction and procurement projects. Six of them were done by PWD,three by MCD,two each by CPWD,DDA,NDMC and one by RITES,a Government of India Enterprise,a CVC report said.

Official sources said a reminder has recently been issued to CPWD,MCD,DDA and PWD asking them to submit their reports by this month-end.

The move came after Central Vigilance Commissioner P J Thomas objected to the “lackadaisical approach” and continuing delay by agencies in submitting replies to the queries raised by the anti-corruption watchdog,the sources said.

A senior Commission official said that based on their replies,the CVC will give its findings or final report to a committee formed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) V K Shunglu.

Meanwhile,sleuths from Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate have also launched a separate probe to detect alleged financial discrepancies in the award of contracts and violation of Foreign Exchange Management Act.

CAG Vinod Rai has said that it will submit report after auditing all Commonwealth Games related projects being carried out by different civic and construction agencies.