CBI to probe irregularities in communication contract

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the Commonwealth Games (CWG) corruption scam, has filed a case over alleged irregularities in the award of a communication contract to a Dutch firm, via flawed tendering process.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the Commonwealth Games (CWG) corruption scam, has filed a case over alleged irregularities in the award of a communication contract to a Dutch firm, via flawed tendering process.

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The contract pertained to producing news and editorial content on CWG and for managing provision of facilities to media contingents covering the event.

CBI's preliminary probe has shown that CWG's Organising Committee (OC) had awarded the contract to the Dutch firm for over Rs. 9 crore even though the initial budget was of just Rs. 56 lakh.

The tendering process had allegedly resulted in re-tendering and restriction of other bidders that led to inflation in the costs, said the source.

The agency is probing as to why the "OC had allegedly paid the Dutch firm in rupees though the contract had required the conduct of this transaction in American dollars," said the source.

The case was registered against the Dutch firm and two former members of the OC - former secretary general Lalit Bhanot and former additional director general, press operations, Manish Kumar.