Public funds 'misuse': Delhi Lokayukta indicts CM Dikshit

, May 22: The Delhi

Manmohan Sarin has indicted Chief Minister

for 'misusing' public funds in government advertisements. Sarin said that these advertisements were installed for political purposes ahead of the assembly polls. Delhi is scheduled to go to the polls later this year.

The Lokayukta has recommended the President to advise Dikshit to reimburse Rs 11 crore as half the cost incurred by the Delhi government to put up the advertisements five years ago. Dikshit was in charge of the information and publicity department of the Delhi government.

The Lokayukta has also recommended setting up of guidelines for publication of government advertisement on development work and inclusion of safeguards to prevent misuse of public money.

The opposition BJP had accused the Delhi government of spending a staggering Rs 22 crore in advertisements leading upto 2008 state election. The party's former Delhi unit head Vijendra Gupta had complained to the Lokayukta about this in 2009.

OneIndia News