CVC asks CBI to conduct probe into CWG contracts

Fri, Oct 22 10 06:07 PM

New Delhi, Oct 22 (PTI) The CVC, involved in probing alleged corruption in various Commonwealth Games-related projects, has asked CBI to conduct investigations to ascertain "criminal conspiracy" and discrepancies in award of certain contracts for the event. Official sources said the discrepancies like payment to non-existent parties, wilful delay in execution of contracts, inflated prices and bungling in purchase and renting of overlays including equipment worth several crores through tendering have been noticed. They said the anti-corruption watchdog has received reports from its Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) of concerned ministries or departments and found substantive evidence to hand over the cases to CBI for further probe and logical conclusion of the cases. "There have been huge financial losses made to the national exchequer while awarding contracts. We have found alleged criminal conspiracy and financial bungling in some of the tenders and award of works. The CBI has been asked to conduct probe in it," a senior CVC official said requesting anonymity. He said the CVC probe is already facing hurdles like non-cooperation and lackadaisical approach by officers in Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and other departments and needed handling of complaints by investigating agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation. The officer, however, refused to divulge further information related to the contracts under scanner. Sources said huge deviations were made in purchase of air conditioners, furniture, kitchen equipment and creating temporary infrastructure for Commonwealth Games Village and other projects. The CBI is already probing a case related to alleged irregularities in upgradation of street lighting on roads in the national capital carried out by MCD. According to an RTI reply filed by PTI, a total of 22 projects are being probed by CVC, which include a highest of six 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 Commission, 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 CVC will submit its findings 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.PTI AKV

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