Modi Govt caught in scandal, alleges GPCC spokesperson

Ahmedabad, Aug 16 (UNI) In the name of Nirmal Gujarat, the state government is indulging in massive corruption to the tune of Rs 30 crore, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) spokersperson Shaktisinh Gohil alleged today.

Addressing mediapersons here, Mr Gohil said under the Nirmal Gujarat 2006-07 declaration, the Modi government, without calling for tenders or any proper appraisal, had allocated Rs 30 crore for construction of public urinals in the state.

On July 6 this year, it had issued a notification that 75,000 public urinals would be constructed at a cost of Rs 4,000 per urinal and had announced nodal agencies without paying heed to the canons of financial propriety. Though the government has announced about 16 nodal agencies, all of them are controlled by five to six persons who are close to powers-that-be, Mr Gohil charged.

The racket came to light after these agencies started collecting Rs 350 from the people by simply replacing the door of the old urinals. They claimed that Rs 1,000 worth of work had been done but by collecting Rs 350 from the people they have set the racket in motion and are looting people, he said, adding the agencies were given two cement bags, one tub set, one packet of tiles and a door covered with tin sheet.

He listed the 10 agencies -- Banaskantha Mahila Jagruti Mandal; Gram Seva Trust, Surat; Milan Foundation, Ahmedabad; Gayatri Seva Sangh, Kalol; Vikas Bharati, Kheda; Wadiyar Niketan, Patan; Rambhakt Sanskar Mandal, Sabarkantha; Arya Seva Sangh, Rajkot; Saraswati Education Truat, Gandhinagar and Amardeep Foundation, Gandhinagar -- which, he alleged, are the main players in the racket.

Five to six people are controlling these agencies and the Rs 30 crore corruption had gone unchecked, thanks to the blessings of the Gujarat government, he alleged.

What is intriguing is that to build a toilet in Surat -- where an agency was assigned the work -- workers from Sabarkantha were sent there, he said.

''Our demand is that a thorough enquiry should be conducted either by the vigilance or anti-corruption bureau (ACB) to get to the bottom of the racket,'' he said.

UNI