The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered an FIR against former delhi Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and former Public Works Department (PWD) minister Satyendra Jain on allegations of corruption in the construction of classrooms at excessive cost. The case is related to an alleged scam of Rs 2,000 crore in 12,748 classrooms/buildings constructed in government schools during the reign of the aam aadmi party (AAP).
The investigation started when the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) found 'clear irregularities' in the construction of classrooms in its report dated february 17, 2020. After this, in 2022, the Vigilance Department of the delhi government submitted its detailed investigation report to the Chief Secretary. Recently, President draupadi murmu had given permission to start a formal investigation in this matter under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Improper tendering and huge cost overruns - CVC report
During the probe, it was revealed that tenders worth Rs 860.63 crore were awarded for construction works, but the cost was hiked by 17 per cent to 90 per cent in the name of rich specifications in the contract. The hike totalled Rs 326.25 crore, of which Rs 205.45 crore was added only on account of changes in the design and specifications. Moreover, no fresh tenders were invited to implement these changes, which is a direct violation of CVC guidelines. Further, works worth Rs 42.5 crore were carried out in five schools on the basis of old contracts, without proper tender process. It is also alleged that the cost overruns of the works were done through a consultant and architect who were appointed without following the prescribed procedure. The case was registered after permission was obtained from the competent authority under Section 17-A POC Act.
AAP's corruption exposed - Virendra Sachdeva
delhi bjp state president Virendra Sachdeva reacted sharply on this entire matter. He said, "Delhi bjp has always opposed the corrupt policies of AAP and today is a decisive day against the corruption of AAP and its government. We have been exposing the dark deeds of kejriwal and Sisodia who seek votes in the name of education revolution." He called it a turning point in the fight of Delhiites against corruption..jpg)
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