New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday recommended the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe alleged irregularities in the purchase of 1,000 low-floor buses by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary to the Delhi government on August 16, Govind Mohan, Additional Secretary (UT), Ministry of Home Affairs, said that a three-member committee had been constituted by the NCT of Delhi government to investigate the matter in detail.
“The matter has been investigated in this ministry and with the approval of the competent authority, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has been requested to take necessary action to conduct a preliminary inquiry on the matter by the Central Bureau of Investigation,” the news agency said. IANS quoted the letter as saying.
Last month, the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged a multi-crore scam in the purchase of 1,000 low-floor buses by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
The saffron party has also demanded the resignation of Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot and Delhi Transport Corporation Managing Director Vijay Bidhuri.
BJP MLA Vijender Gupta had approached the Lt Governor for an inquiry committee after alleging irregularities in the terms of the purchase and maintenance contracts.
According to the allegations leveled by the BJP, the Delhi government had placed a work order for 1,000 low-floor buses costing Rs 890 crore and also floated a tender worth Rs 350 crore per year for annual maintenance of the buses. The party claimed that both were handed over to the same bus supplier.
The Delhi cabinet had earlier this year approved the engagement of 300 low-floor electric AC buses by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). A three-member committee set up by the LG in June had found procedural “loopholes” in the AMC and recommended rectification.
(with inputs from agencies)
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