Published>Sat, Jul 31 10 05:53 AM
Under attack from several parties and agencies for the alleged irregularities in construction projects for the Commonwealth Games, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday defended her government, claiming she was completely "unaware" about the findings of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
"I will not comment on the CVC report. We do not have the report. We will take action when it has to be taken, when eventually we get the report. Everything will be taken into account, if there is any need," she said.
While claiming to be unaware of the report, she added that her government is "saving money on several projects rather than overspending". Dikshit also questioned the statements made by Commonwealth Games CEO Mike Hooper who had earlier in the day questioned the Games preparations. "Who is Michael Hooper, may I ask?...The Prime Minister has expressed confidence in the fact that the Games will be well conducted," Dikshit said.
CVC backtracks Meanwhile, by late Friday evening, the Central Vigilance Commission had put up a "clarification" regarding its earlier report on quality checks of Games-related projects. In its report put up on its website just 24 hours earlier, the CVC published the findings of its inspections where it said many of the projects inspected were below par and had artificially escalated costs.
In its clarification, the CVC said that its inspections were simply routine and not a raid on Games-specific projects. "Chief Technical Examiner's Organisation (CTEO) of the CVC, in a routine manner inspects the works of different organisations, when they have been tendered out and are in progress... In 2010, so far the CTEO has inspected 57 works in 42 organisations, including DMRC, NTPC, NPCIL, MCD, DJB, SJVNL, DFCCIL etc."
"The reports of the CTEO are sent to different organisations for remedial action, system improvement and to identify officials responsible, where a vigilance angle is suspected. Organisations respond to CTEO reports... in some cases advice is given for disciplinary action against officers when they are found responsible," the CVC statement read.
The CVC clarified that the CTEO report "is the first step" and should not be in any way taken for the final CVC report.
Will meet deadline: CMDikshit also claimed the construction debris will be cleared by August 10, clarifying that all "big" rubble will be cleared on time.
"Already 16,000 tonnes of debris have been removed from various sites," she said.
She also maintained the government will meet all deadlines and all streetscaping work will be completed by August 31. "We will finish one month in advance. The month of September will be kept aside exclusively to give finishing touches or to fill the gaps left due to coordination problems between various agencies," she said.
The CM also gave detailed excuses for delays in various projects that are yet to be completed, blaming the delay on clearance from various agencies. "The Barapullah Nallah was earlier designed to be totally underground. Later the project was shelved completely because of the DUAC's objection and now it is being constructed as an elevated corridor," she said. She, however, added that the PWD is confident of completing the project well before time in order to have sufficient time for test and trial.
The Uttar Pradesh Link Road also started late because of the delay in the acquisition of land, she said.
Project sheet24 flyovers 3 stadiums 1,070 km ? lane strengthening and widening 31 foot overbridges 450 km ? upgraded streetlighting 150 km ? improved signanges 1 power plant 1 sewage treatment plant 1 water treatment plant 1 bus-parking lot for more than 1,000 buses
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