Scam: Tirath refutes charges

NEW DELHI, March 30: Social Welfare Minister Krishna Tirath today refuted charges of collusion with bureaucrats in a Rs 12.5 crore scam in her Department. The Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, said that action would be taken against the officials involved based on the findings of the SDM8217;s inquriy report into the matter.

Replying to a calling attention motion by leader of the Opposition, Jagdish Mukhi, Tirath said: 8220;The scam belongs to the time when BJP was in power and the Opposition wants to safeguard these officials. In the last three months I have tried to sort things out.8221;

Mukhi alleged that Tirath had withdrawn the orders of suspension against an erring officer who along with five others 8220;had swindled Rs 12.5 crore in spurious cheques drawn in the names of companies like Parul, Alpana, Ambe and Galaxy,8221; Mukhi said.