Official under CBI scanner moved out of NHAI

The government has ensured the repatriation of a top official of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to his home cadre Gujarat.

Following a request from the CBI,the government has ensured the repatriation of a top official of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to his home cadre Gujarat. The agency earlier had sought sanction by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for probing his alleged involvement in irregularities in executing a contract,which was denied.

As reported by The Indian Express ( November 18,2010),Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekhar had convened a meeting to discuss the stalemate between the CBI and MoRTH on the issue of commencing an inquiry against NHAIs Member (projects) S I Patel. Officials said it was conveyed to the CBI that while the orders of the ministry could not be reversed,the repatriation of the officer was in order.

Senior officials in the NHAI confirmed that while Patel proceeded on leave earlier this week,formal orders from the ministry that his request for repatriation to his parent cadre be immediately accepted had been received.

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The controversy follows the registration of a case by the CBI over contracts given for the 120-km Nagpur-Betul Highway project to a Delhi-based private firm,following which two NHAI officials were arrested. After registering the case,the CBI also wanted to include the alleged involvement of Patel in the commission of the contract but despite repeated reminders,was not given the sanction and eventually received a formal denial.

CBI sources said after the meeting in the Cabinet Secretariat,they moved a request for sanction for initiating an inquiry. NHAI officials confirmed that they had forwarded the second request to the ministry for comments but before the reply could be sent,Patel requested for being moved out.

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