Hry defers CBI probe reference against Khemka

The Haryana government has decided to defer the reference for a CBI probe into the allotment of Rs 18.04-crore work orders for installation of galvalume roofing sheets on warehouses to an Ahmedabad-based company by IAS officer Ashok Khemka as the MD of Haryana State Warehousing Corporation in 2009.

In a change of stance, the Haryana government has decided to defer the reference for a CBI probe into the allotment of Rs 18.04 crore work orders for installing galvalume roofing sheets on warehouses to an Ahmedabad based company, M/s Proflex Systems, by Haryana IAS officer Ashok Khemka during his tenure as managing director of Haryana State Warehousing Corporation (HSWC) in 2009. Chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had last month given his nod for a CBI probe.

Additional chief secretary (home) PK Gupta told HT that the reference for a CBI investigation had been held back in light of a special audit by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) sought by the state government.

While there cannot be an equivalence in the CAG audit and a CBI investigation which is basically a police probe to fix criminal liability, the state government has decided to put off the reference for the CBI probe due to several reasons.

Since there are reports that the chief minister himself had approved use of galvalume roofing sheets for the warehouses of food and supplies department, his aides are concerned over the fact that a CBI probe will expose the CM and his aides to questioning by the central agency. "Purchase of galvalume roofing sheets in HSWC by allegedly keeping the board of directors in the dark and the approval granted by the CM for installing galvalume in the warehouses of food and supplies department are separate issues. The irregularities committed by HSWC in the purchase of galvalume roofing sheets cannot be justified by the approval given by the chief minister for installation of galvalume in food and supplies department warehouses," said an official.