CVC recommends action against Kalmadi; probes multi-crore scams

Report from departments concerned on alleged irregularities exposed by other agencies including Jet-Etihad deal have also been sought

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) recommended action against former chairman of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi for suppression of facts in an alleged corruption case and directed CBI probe in LTC scams among others during 2013.

The anti-corruption watchdog also sought report from departments concerned on alleged irregularities exposed by other agencies including Jet-Etihad deal and Rs 5,600 crore payment default by National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL).

In its effort to ensure transparency in governance, the CVC directed rotation of officers handling sensitive posts and regulations in public procurement, a government activity, involving crores of rupees, susceptible to corruption.

It was in the news for continuously weighing and submitting status reports before Supreme Court in multi-crore scams in allocations of second generation (2G) spectrum to telecom firms and coal blocks to certain private entities.

Both the cases have been investigated by the CBI.

The probity watchdog also acted on more than 15,000 corruption complaints sent to it by people and sought action taken report from government departments concerned. It recovered about Rs 90 crore after inspecting works, including public procurement, carried out by different government organisations.

The CVC, which went into alleged irregularities in Commonwealth Games related civic and construction projects, also coordinated with tax authorities to ensure recovery of dues from private companies and government departments.

At least 37 government departments have spent over Rs 13,000 crore in 9,000 publicly funded CWG-related projects.

The CVC has detected tax evasion of about Rs 1,000 crore in execution of these projects, according to official sources.

However, it is still trying to implement its anti-corruption strategy, draft of which was prepared in 2010, aimed at further tightening its noose on graft.

The CVC has conducted a direct inquiry on the basis of complaints of corruption and nepotism in the CWG OC. The probe report was referred to the CBI for detailed investigation.