JOIN USBJP slams Raj govt over 108 'scam'
The opposition BJP on Tuesday staged a walk out in the assembly demanding a CBI probe in the awarding of contract for 108 emergency services to a firm in which the sons of Union Ministers P Chidambaram and Vayalar Ravi have stakes.
However, the government rejected the demand saying that it had followed all the procedures while awarding the contract and it is just a coincidence that the company is owned by the ministers’ sons.
During the Question Hour, opposition MLA Dr Digamber Singh, deputy leader of the opposition Ghanshyam Tiwari and MLA Jaswant Singh raised concern over reports of alleged irregularities in awarding the contract and payment to the firm without submitting bills.
The opposition members also levelled allegations of favouritism and corruption and sought to know the names of the managing directors of the company.
Health Minister A A Khan said the contract was awarded to Jigitsa Health Care Ltd and the directors of the company included Karthik Chidambaram and Ravi Krishna, sons of Union Ministers P Chidambaram and Vayalar Ravi.
Deny chargesThe minister tried to put up a brave front and said five companies had applied for the contract out of which tenders of two were rejected during technical bids and among the remaining three, the Jigitsa quoted the lowest price.
Refuting the charges of favouritism, he said even in the BJP ruled Bihar and in Kerala during the time of the LDF regime, the contract was awarded to the same company. He said Rajasthan got the lowest rate among all the other states.