Shunglu committee seeks info on alleged recruitment scam

New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) The high-level ShungluCommittee, appointed by the Prime Minister to look intocorruption in the conduct of the Commonwealth Games, hassought information from the public about the allegedrecruitment scam in the Organising Committee.

It has sought information whether relatives andacquaintances of certain influential people were givenpreferences by changing eligibility criteria to pave way forthem into the Games OC.

"The committee has received complaints to the effectthat a large number of candidates, who were not qualified,were appointed against various posts..."It has been represented that several of thesecandidates are relatives of VIPs or friends of office bearersof the Organising Committee. It has been stated that some havebeen given salaries disproportionate to their qualificationsand experience," Shunglu committee said.

It has also put a list of about 2,100 personnel, whowere employed with the OC between May 2009 and November 2010,along with the details of their designation and salary drawn.

"Anyone who wants to share any information about thesepersons, their relationship, their experience and salary drawnetc., may please send their information," it said.

The move assume significance as both the CentralVigilance Commission and the Income Tax department isinquiring into the irregularities in the employment processamid allegations that many were ''ghost employees''.

The IT department has asked it to furnish details ofmuster rolls, documents pertinent to selection of workforce,salary and tax deduction at source among others.

The sources said the CVC has asked the Chief VigilanceOfficer of the Sports Ministry to probe irregularities in thewhole employment process.

The OC has at present about 250 employees, who arebeing relieved in a phased manner, the sources said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had on October 25 lastyear appointed the Committee under the chairmanship of formerComptroller and Auditor General V K Shunglu to look intocorruption in several works carried out for the mega sportingevent. The Committee was asked to submit its report withinthree months time.

The CVC is inquiring into over 30 complaints relatedto alleged corruption in the Games works carried out bydifferent civic and construction agency. It includes overlaysworks, workforce selection, hiring of equipment and publicrelation related projects executed by OC.

Besides, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) hasregistered four FIRs naming some of the close aides of OCchairman Suresh Kalmadi for alleged criminal conspiracy andfinancial irregularities in executing certain contracts.

The CBI has also questioned Kalmadi in connection withits cases.