CVC to probe CWG medical scams

New Delhi, Feb 24: Suspecting large scale bunglings in the award of contracts for purchase of medical equipments for the Commonwealth Games, CVC has initiated a probe to examine the role of Delhi government officials and others involved in the deals.

The Central Vigilance Commission has found sufficient documentary evidence on alleged collusion by certain Delhi government officials in executing a number of contracts for buying such items for a direct enquiry, sources claimed.

The Delhi government had floated tenders to buy items like stretchers, ultrasound therapy machines, wheelchairs, trolley beds and Shortwave Diathermy machines (used to cure muscle and tissue injuries) among others for the mega sporting event from contractors at allegedly inflated rates.

The enquiry being undertaken by Chief Technical Examination Wing of the Commission will look into tender documents, payment bills, inventory records and papers related to eligibility criteria of the vendors chosen to supply the equipments.

"Our officials have found many discrepancies in the award of the contracts and felt that the Commission must conduct a direct probe to assess the wrongdoings in the run up to the sporting event held here in October last year," a CVC official said.

The probity watchdog initiates Direct Enquiry in cases where it suspects huge financial and procedural lapses and wants no interference and influence from insiders. CVC has conducted direct enquiries in 2G spectrum allocation case among others.

The procedure and documents involved in purchases of all medical equipments by Delhi government will be scrutinised by the Commission, the sources said.

The CVC is likely to finalise its report within three months, they said.

The Commission is already probing alleged discrepancies in the purchase of air conditioners, furniture and kitchen equipment for Commonwealth Games Village by Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

The CVC is probing close to 30 projects being executed by different government agencies for alleged financial and administrative discrepancies.

Besides the Shunglu Committee appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax officials are also enquiring into several Games related projects for alleged violation of norms and financial irregularities.

PTI