Delhi BJP accuses AAP govt of ‘scam’ in sewage treatment plants upgradation

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva has written to central probe agencies and Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities in the tendering process for upgrading the sewage treatment plants run by the DJB. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party AAP in Delhi said the BJP alleges a new scam everyday, but does not act against any official even though it has all the powers.

New Delhi: Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva has written to central probe agencies and Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities in the tendering process for upgrading the sewage treatment plants run by the DJB, according to a statement issued by the party on Sunday.

AAP Hits Back

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi said the BJP alleges a new scam every day, but does not act against any official even though it has all the powers. This is nothing but a political drama, the AAP said in a statement.

Sachdeva Accuses Delhi Govt of Flouting Norms

Sachdeva has accused the Delhi government of hurriedly awarding the upgrading and augmentation work at escalated costs by flouting norms. Estimates were prepared by the consultant on the basis of a single quotation, resulting in the estimates being higher than the market rate. During the process, the rates of items/works mainly civil works were prepared on higher sides and thereafter, works were awarded at Rs 1,938 crore -- 28 per cent higher than the estimated cost of Rs 1,508 crore, he has said.

BJP Leader Alleges Scam of Rs 500 Crore

The BJP leader has alleged a scam of around Rs 500 crore in the matter. He has further alleged that there were tweaks in the tendering process to favour two bidders and the work was divided into packages to award projects without the mandatory detailed project reports.

Sachdeva Sends Detailed Notes to CBI, ED and LG

Sachdeva has sent detailed notes on this to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the LG, seeking an investigation into the alleged irregularities, the statement said. He has also called for cancellation of the projects awarded to the contractors and sought an enquiry against the officials and minister concerned for allegedly showing undue haste in awarding those.

AAP Alleges BJP Protects Corrupt Officials

The AAP hit back at him, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protects corrupt officials. Everyone knows that the bureaucracy in Delhi reports to the BJP-ruled Centre. They have all the powers to take any kind of disciplinary action against any official. So far, the BJP has chosen to protect all corrupt officials of the Delhi government, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party said.

Delhi Govt Asked DJB and Finance Dept to Identify Errant Officers

It said the Delhi government had itself asked the DJB and the finance department to identify errant officers on the basis of the complaints received so far, but no action has been taken. It is well known that the GNCTD Act does not give powers to the elected government to take any action. But if any kind of wrongdoing has taken place, we would urge the LG to take the strongest possible action against anyone who has worked against public interest, the AAP said.

Ministers Play No Role in Tendering Process

The ministers play no role whatsoever in the tendering process, which is entirely handled by the officials concerned, it said, adding that it is not the ministers responsibility to look into the technicalities and rules of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) or Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), but rather the job of DJB officials to take cognisance of such standards.

The allegations of irregularities in the tendering process for upgrading the sewage treatment plants run by the DJB have sparked a political slugfest between the BJP and the AAP. While the BJP has demanded an investigation into the matter, the AAP has accused the BJP of protecting corrupt officials. It remains to be seen what action, if any, will be taken in response to these allegations.