Probe 'Rs 1,300 crore scam' in Delhi govt schools, urges vigilance directorate

The CVC had earlier highlighted irregularities in classroom construction and had submitted a report to Delhi's vigilance directorate in 2020

The vigilance directorate has recommended a probe by a "specialised agency" into alleged irregularities in the construction of classrooms for Delhi government schools, claiming it involved a "scam of Rs 1,300 crore", official sources said on Friday.

A report of the Delhi government's vigilance directorate recommending the probe has been submitted to the chief secretary, they said.

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), in a report dated February 17, 2020, highlighted "glaring irregularities" in the construction of over 2,400 classrooms in Delhi government schools by the Public Works Department (PWD).

The CVC had sent the report to the Delhi government's vigilance directorate seeking its comments on the matter in February 2020.

"The directorate however kept sitting over the report for two-and-half years until LG V K Saxena asked the chief secretary to inquire into the delay in August this year and submit a report," a source said.

The vigilance directorate has also recommended “fixing responsibilities" of the officials concerned of the Education Department and PWD who were involved in the "bungling" to the tune of nearly Rs 1,300 crore, they said.