Delhi LG orders ACB probe into alleged corruption in de-silting of Palam drains

New Delhi [India], September 9 (ANI): Delhi LG, VK Saxena, has ordered a probe by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) into serious allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds to the tune of nearly Rs 80 crore against the officials of the Public Works Department (PWD).
According to an official release, from the LG's office, "The matter, which has been under discussion for some time, involves the de-silting work carried out in Southwest Road-I and Southwest Road-II Divisions of the PWD in the Palam area."
The Principal Secretary to LG has written to the Chief Secretary conveying the orders of the Lieutenant Governor.

A complaint dated August 11, 2024, addressed to the LG by Advocate Amit Kharkhari, Municipal Councillor of MCD Ward 127, Najafgarh, Delhi, alleged that the officials involved in the project are engaged in serious irregularities, including misuse of public funds, blatant disregard for established tender norms, and other serious corrupt practices.

The complaint says one single contractor, identified as Surender Singh, was unduly favoured and given the contracts for de-silting of drains in violation of the laid norms and thus caused financial losses to the government.
In his complaint, Kharkhari has alleged the following irregularities, including corruption in de-silting of drains during the monsoon of 2022, irregularities in the installation of sewerage pumps at various vulnerable locations in Jafferpur, irregularities in the measurement of work, double payment for the same work, fabrication of nonexistent work, misuse of sub-division tenders, violation of tender rules and facilitation of manual scavenging, among others.

The complainant has named Executive Engineer Ashish Gupta, Junior Engineer, Ajay Kumar Meena, Assistant Engineer, Dharam Singh Meena along with the contractor, Surender Singh, and other PWD employees for being directly involved in the wrongdoings.

The complaint also points out that, since both the divisions fell under the supervision of high-ranking PWD officials, including Superintending Engineers, Rajpal Shivrain and Shailander Mishra, as well as Chief Engineer, South (M), Manoj Kumar Aggarwal, it is likely that they were aware of such corrupt activities and may have even colluded with the above-mentioned Ex. Engineer and Assistant Engineer to shield them from scrutiny.

The complaint adds that there are several instances where the measures recorded by the above officials have been deliberately inflated to process higher payments to the contractor. These allegations, supported by various documents, suggest that the exchequer suffered significant financial losses due to the misconduct.

"Keeping in view the severity and scale of the alleged irregularities supported with substantial proof of corruption in the complaint, the Hon'ble Lt Governor has desired that this matter be kindly referred to the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) for in depth investigation so that further course of action be initiated, as per rules. It is also requested that an action taken report in the matter be forwarded to this Secretariat at the earliest," said the communication to the Chief Secretary from LG Secretariat. (ANI)