ACB lodges another case alleging irregularities by DSIIDC

Delhi's anti-corruption branch today registered a case in connection with alleged irregularities by DSIIDC in connection with development and maintenance of the industrial areas in Narela and Bawana, a charge denied by the industrial body.
"An FIR under appropriate sections of the law has been registered on the basis of a complaint, and legal action will follow," ACB chief M K Meena said.
The move comes two days after the anti-graft body had registered a case in connection with alleged irregularities by the DSIIDC in conversion of industrial sheds on DDA-allotted land from leasehold to freehold. A senior bureaucrat has been named in the complaints leading to both the cases.

According to the complaint submitted to the police on August 7, some senior officials of Delhi State Industrial And Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) Limited have allegedly abused their official position for "wrongful gains" in carrying out development and maintenance of the industrial areas in Narela and Bawana in north Delhi, through a public private partnership (PPP) model, an ACB source said.
The facts related to the issue were cross-checked with records obtained from the C&AG office, following which the ACB have registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust, the ACB source said.
"In 2010, the Lt Governor had approved a change in the business model for the redevelopment and upgradation of the two industrial areas.

"However, within a year, some changes were unlawfully incorporated into the model, causing the government an estimated loss of around Rs 376.74 crore spread over a period of 13 years," the source said, adding that the actual amount of loss incurred so far is a matter of investigation.

A senior DSIIDC official said that Narela and Bawana Industrial Areas were developed by DSIIDC to relocate industries working in non-conforming areas.
The 'Relocation Scheme' as per directions of Supreme Court of India was taken up by Delhi government's Industries Department, during the year 1996 onwards and DSIIDC was appointed executing agency for its implementation.

"Delhi Industrial Development, Operation and Maintenance Act, 2010 (called the DIDOM Act) was passed by the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi on 30 March, 2010. The Act came into force with effect from 28 March, 2011," the official said.
The principal objective of the DIDOM Act is to create and develop a sustainable framework for Industrial Estate Management and to bring uniformity in infrastructural facilities through a single implementing agency, which is DSIIDC.
"As per Section 4 of the DIDOM Act, the functions of the Corporation include to establish, operate, maintain and manage industrial estates notified by the government. These industries come under jurisdiction of DSIIDC from Industries Department," the official added.