Massive corruption in CWG; CBI, ED to probe
New Delhi: Following the CNN-IBN expose, the Commonwealth Games projects are under the CBI scanner for irregularities. The CVC has found serious discrepancies in 16 Commonwealth Games projects, including stadia upgradation and road widening, amounting to more than Rs.2,500 crore. The report included the use of sub-standard material, rigging of bids, sanctioning of projects which were not needed, favoritism in selection of contractors and private bidders being allowed to tamper with figures post-auction.
The Central Vigilance Commission has asked the CBI to register corruption case against unknown MCD officials in connection with a tender issued for the Games project to upgrade street lighting.
Also two Kalmadi aides are under the Enforcement Directorate scanner for illegal forex payments. The ED is probing the Commonwealth Games money trail. The Sports ministry has forwarded a letter from the United Kingdom government to the ED for investigation. The CWG officials were reportedly paying a UK firm AM Films 25,000 pounds per month without due clearances.
Not only that, in more embarrassment for the organisers of the Games, the International Governing Body of Swimming has slammed the government for shoddy construction work at the Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex, the venue for water sports. Vice-President Sam Ramaswamy, who was here for the Federation Cup, told CNN-IBN that quality has been compromised.
"I am worried at the slapdash kind of working. Quality has been compromised, there is no doubt about it," said Ramaswamy.
The CVC report stated that six of the Public Works Department (PWD) projects and two of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) are among the 16 projects which are under the scanner. A source said the Barapullah elevated road project from the Games Village to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation. However, Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit refused to comment on the issue, saying they were not aware of the report.
The CVC report says that almost all organisations executing infrastructure works for Commonwealth Games have flouted rules. Despite higher rates, work has allegedly been delayed and quality has been compromised in all venues. The report says there is no guarantee of quality of the work done because test records have been fabricated to show compliance.
Concrete used in infrastructure work in various stadiums has failed to meet the requirement of strength. Concrete used in the stadiums is an ordinary mixture instead of the prescribed 'ready mix concrete'. This poses a risk to athletes and spectators at the games. A third party inspection agency appointed to submit monthly report has not prepared even a single report on work quality.
There is yet another flaw that is potentially dangerous: electrical installations have not been tested in 14 out of the 17 venues before putting it to public use. The CVC report says in this condition electrical mishaps cannot be ruled out. Several agencies have been awarded contracts despite a ban on them.
The projects in which the CVC found irregularities are the CWG village swimming pool, training hall, and athletic track, among others, which are the responsibility of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the renovation of Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and SPM swimming pool - Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the upgrade of Talkatora Stadium under New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and a few other projects undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cbi-to-get-orders-to-probe-cwg-corruption/127859-5-23.html?from=tn
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