Vigilance flags ‘irregularities’ in construction of classrooms in Delhi govt schools

A fresh political slugfest erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the national capital on Friday after official documents indicated that the Directorate of Vigilance (DoV) of the Delhi government found irregularities in the construction of 2,405 classrooms at 193 state-run schools

A fresh political slugfest erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the national capital on Friday after official documents indicated that the Directorate of Vigilance (DoV) of the Delhi government found irregularities in the construction of 2,405 classrooms at 193 state-run schools.

While the BJP said that the report exposed the Arvind Kejriwal-led government’s “corruption”, the AAP dismissed the report as “politically motivated”. (HT Photo)

While the BJP said that the report exposed the Arvind Kejriwal-led government’s “corruption”, the AAP dismissed the report as “politically motivated”.

DoV was investigating alleged irregularities in the construction of the classrooms and has submitted its report to chief secretary Naresh Kumar, according to documents seen by HT.

The vigilance department has now recommended a detailed investigation by a specialised agency. “In view of glaring irregularities and violations of rules, procedures, manuals, etc. the matter may be referred to a specialised agency for detailed investigation,” the report submitted to Kumar said.

The BJP said the report proved corruption in schools. At a press conference here, the BJP’s national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that AAP constructed toilets in schools and counted them as classrooms. “He (Kejriwal) is not worried about the future of the children. He only worries about one thing -- black money that is flowing to him,” he alleged.

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who holds the portfolios of education and PWD, said the report was a witch-hunt. “In the so-called scam in the classrooms construction, the vigilance report has been submitted to the media and the chief secretary. It has not been submitted to the minister; it was also not submitted to the Central Vigilance Commission. It happens because FIRs, charge sheets (against AAP leaders) are written at the BJP headquarters. It is happening every day,” Sisodia said.

The DoV report said that the PWD and education department need to fix responsibilities of concerned officials who were responsible for the violations of rules and procedures.

On August 26, lieutenant governor VK Saxena sought a report from the chief secretary over a delay of two-and-a-half years on the part of the vigilance department in acting on an inquiry report of the Central Vigilance Commission over alleged irregularities in the construction of additional classrooms at Delhi government schools.

No response was immediately available from the chief secretary.

BJP leader Vijender Gupta on July 25, 2019, lodged a complaint with CVC, alleging that the construction cost escalated by up to 90% in the name of costlier specifications added later, and that the Delhi government sanctioned additional ₹500 crore without a tender.

PWD was the executing agency for the construction of the additional classrooms. The report said that PWD violated several rules and manuals by not preparing detailed estimates before floating tenders; post-tender changes were added in work contracts in the name of “richer specifications” on suggestion of private individuals not engaged by the Delhi government; and no mandatory 14-day notice was given for inviting tenders above ₹2 crore as per the CPWD manual.

PWD officials did not respond despite repeated requests by HT for a comment.

The vigilance report also flagged that 1,214 toilet blocks were constructed against the requirement of 116 toilet blocks, which resulted in extra expenditure of about ₹37 crore. It also underlined the need to investigate the role of private individuals on whose advice the “richer specifications” were added. The PWD has not provided any record regarding the appointment or engagement of private individuals, it said.

It said that payments were made over and above the tendered value to the contractors without taking administrative approvals and expenditure sanctions from the competent authority for such deviations beyond the CPWD manual.

The AAP government did not respond on the specific details of alleged irregularities.