Probe selection of tainted officers for CWG: CVC to Delhi govt

The CVC has widened its probe into the alleged financial and administrative irregularities related to the Commonwealth Games and put purchase of medical equipment and selection of tainted project officers for the sporting event among others under its scanner.

The Commission is also looking into the whole process for production of vehicle graphics, standees, banners and signages for national sector of Queen's Baton Relay, 2010 and directed the Delhi Government to take necessary action in this regard.

"Some other complaints regarding purchase of medical equipment for Commonwealth Games, selection of tainted project officers for CWG, proposal for production of vehicle graphics, standees, banners and signages for national sector of Queen's Baton Relay, 2010 have been sent to Delhi Government for necessary action at their end," the Central Vigilance Commission said in response to an RTI application filed by PTI.

According to the information, the CVC is probing at least 22 more Games-related construction and procurement works carried out by different government agencies here for alleged financial irregularities.

Out of the total of 22 projects, six were carried out by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, four by Delhi Development Authority, three by Organising Committee and two each by Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Central Public Works Department, Government of Delhi.

One work each relating to Department of Commerce, Indian Meteorological Department and New Delhi Municipal Council is also being probed, the reply said.

The CVC has also found alleged misuse of official position by Raj Kumar Sacheti, Joint Director General of Commonwealth Games, who is considered a close aide of Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

Giving details of the complaint, it said there is a "complaint against A K Jain, Chief Engineer, CPWD regarding alleged irregularities in tenders for LED display board at MCD National Stadium, Mathura Road, New Delhi. The factual report is awaited from CVO, CPWD since January 7, 2010.

"There is a complaint regarding alleged irregularities in purchase of air conditioners for DDA flats. A factual report is awaited from CVO, DDA since March 18, 2010," the RTI reply said.

The anti-corruption watchdog is also investigating procurement of "secure communication network" or Tetra for the Games on the basis of complaint received from Dr Harsh Vardhan, Member of Legislative Assembly, Delhi.

"The Commission sought comments from Delhi government on the complaint, which is awaited since May 7, 2010," the reply said.

The CVC has also received a complaint regarding alleged irregularities in the construction of bus queue shelters for Commonwealth Games by DIMTS. A factual report has been sought from Government of NCT of Delhi on June 3, 2010 and reply is awaited.

The anti-corruption watchdog is also looking into the complaint regarding alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for PA/Sound System, LED display boards and other communication systems for various Commonwealth Games stadia in which national exchequer borne loss of crores of rupees.

A report was sought from CPWD on September 8, 2010 and is still awaited," the reply read.

An analysis by Chief Technical Examination Wing of CVC has 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, the CVC report said.

The expansion of the probe by the CVC came even as it directed all agencies concerned to submit their reports by the month-end.

Official sources said a reminder has recently been issued to Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Public Works Department (PWD) in this regard.

The move came after Central Vigilance Commissioner P J Thomas objected to the "lackadaisical approach" and continuous delay by agencies in submitting replies to the queries raised by the anti-corruption watchdog, they said.

A senior CVC official said that based on their replies, the CVC will give its findings or final report to a committee formed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) V K Shunglu.

As per the RTI information, it has been found out that some of the agencies are sitting on the clarification or delaying their replies asked by CVC on corruption charges since January this year.

There is also a "complaint regarding misuse of official position and corruption by Raj Kumar Sacheti, Joint Director General of Commonwealth Games, 2010. A factual report is awaited from the CVO, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports," the CVC said.