CAG intensifies probe; files seized

A CAG team picked up files pertaining to contracts awarded for public address systems, LED display boards and other communication systems for various Games stadia, sources said.

The works executed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) are also under the scanner of the Central Vigilance Commission which is still awaiting a report from the agency which falls under the Urban Development Ministry.

These files which have been taken over by CAG are related to works carried out by DDA, CPWD and Municipal Corporation of Delhi, they said.

The sale of broadcasting rights of the Games has also come under CAG scanner and the agency will soon take over all the files including those related to rates of advertisements during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games on October 3 and October 14 here respectively, the sources said.

CAG has summoned officials from other areas to enable completion of work, besides hiring experts in the construction field who could assess the building material used by the CPWD, DDA and MCD in various stadiums and other projects.

A multi-agency probe has already been launched into alleged financial and administrative irregularities in various Games related projects carried out by different agencies here.
Official sources said the complaints received by the anti-corruption watchdog has already been forwarded to the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) of concerned ministries or departments.

In reply to an RTI application filed by PTI, the CVC has given details of projects executed by different government agencies where discrepancies have been detected.

Out of the total of 22 projects, six were carried out by the Sports Ministry, four by Delhi Development Authority, three by Organising Committee and two each by Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Central Public Works Department of the Delhi Government.
One work each relating to Department of Commerce, Indian Meteorological Department and New Delhi Municipal Council is also being probed, the RTI reply said.

An analysis by Chief Technical Examination Wing of CVC had earlier found alleged financial irregularities in 16 construction and procurement projects.

Six of them were carried out by PWD, three by MCD, two each by CPWD, DDA, NDMC and one by RITES, a Government of India Enterprise, a CVC report said.

Official sources said a reminder has recently been issued to CPWD, MCD, DDA and PWD asking them to submit their reports by this month-end.

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

A senior Commission 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 CAG V K Shunglu.