Akhilesh pegs statue ‘scam’ at Rs 40k crore

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said a “huge scam” worth Rs 40,000 crore could emerge in the installation of elephant statues and stone memorials by the previous Bahujan Samaj Party government led by Mayawati. HT reports.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said a “huge scam” worth Rs 40,000 crore could emerge in the installation of elephant statues and stone memorials by the previous Bahujan Samaj Party government led by Mayawati.

The Samajwadi Party leader’s statement came even as the police decided to seize the passports of five retired and serving Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (RNN) officials. The police move follows Monday’s raid on the RNN office in connection with alleged irregularities in erecting the statues across the state.

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Asked if a CBI probe would be ordered into the alleged anomalies, Yadav said the government would soon decide on the form of inquiry. He said the lokayukta had also given a report against several persons in the matter.

Lucknow deputy inspector general of police Ashutosh Pandey said investigations had revealed that the RNN work order process was faulty and excess payments were allegedly made and works allotted at higher rates by overlooking rules.