Delhi LG approves CBI probe into 'irregularities' in purchase of DTC buses, AAP hits back
India Today
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena approved an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the alleged irregularities in the purchase of DTC buses by the Delhi government.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Sunday approved a request for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the purchase of 1000 low floor buses by the Delhi government. The request was made by Naresh Kumar, the Chief Secretary, on the basis of a complaint received in June.
The complaint in June alleged irregularities in the appointment of the Delhi transport minister as chairman of the committee related to tendering and purchase of DTC buses. It also said the appointment of the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) as the management consultant for the tender was done with the aim of facilitating irregularities in the purchase.
The complaint was forwarded to the Chief Secretary to elicit comments from the concerned departments of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD).
The Lieutenant Governor received a report from the Chief Secretary in August which showed that serious discrepancies were made in the tender process. "There is gross violation of the Central Vigilance Commission's guidelines and general financial rules," the report said. It also added that the DIMTS was deliberately made a consultant so that the discrepancies in the tender process could be endorsed.
The same discrepancies were also mentioned in a report by the Commissioner of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).
The Delhi government hit back at the Lieutenant Governor and said he is making such enquiries to divert attention from the allegations of corruption against him. "After making frivolous complaints against three ministers (the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister), he has now made a complaint against a fourth minister," it said. It also asked the LG to first respond to the allegations of corruption against him.
Speaking on the allegations of irrerugalarities in the purchase of buses, it said, "These buses were never purchased and the tenders were cancelled. Delhi needs a more educated LG."
