CVC report has Sheila on backfoot

Cites ignorance about vigilance body findings; avoids direct answers about CWG. HT reports.

A day after the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) reported irregularities in bidding and the cost of several Commonwealth Games-related projects, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said she was not aware of any such reports.

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“I don't know where you got this. I am not aware,” Dikshit said in a press conference. “Right now, the work is on. It (the report of irregularities) will be taken up after the Games are over. CVC or whoever it is, if they found any fault anywhere, we will take care of it after we complete the Commonwealth Games,” she added.

Dikshit asked reporters to wait for the report to come out.

“The works are not yet completely complete. After that, it is the practice of the government (to probe any reports of corruption or irregularities)… It is a continuous process. Eventually, every thing will be taken into account and accountability will be fixed, if at all there is anything (sic),” said Dikshit.

“The way we are functioning, we will save some money rather than overspending,” she added. When asked if she would own up to any irregularity or corruption in the execution of the projects, a visibly-upset Dikshit retorted, “Do you want me to go to the jail?”

In the run up to the Commonwealth Games,

scheduled to take place from October 3-14 in the capital, the Delhi government has taken up infrastructure development works worth more than

Rs 10,000 crore.

Several of these projects - Barapullah elevated road, Ghazipur grade separator, Raja Ram Kohli Marg grade separator, Ring Road bypass, Naraina flyover and streetlighting — are being looked into by the vigilance agencies.

“I won't say anything on CVC. Whatever happens (the inquiries into allegations) is government procedure. Whenever we need to answer it (to the enquiries), we will give the answer,” Dikshit said.

About apprehensions of projects overshooting the deadline, Dikshit accepted there were indeed some delays in some of the projects.

“(But) the delays are not something that you need to panic about.”