Kalmadi aide under CVC scanner

The Hindu; New Delhi, October 28, 2010

The Central Vigilance Commission is probing a complaint related to alleged amassing of Rs 200 crore by a top Commonwealth Games official, believed to be a close associate of Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

In reply to an RTI query filed by PTI, the CVC, which is looking into 22 complaints of financial irregularities in different Games-related projects, said that it is investigating the complaint against V.K. Gautam, former Chief Operating Officer (COO).

OC sources said Mr. Gautam, a 1987 batch IAS officer, quit the Committee after complaints of financial bungling came up against him. The officer, who is considered close to the OC chief, was not available for comments.

Asked about the other complaints against the OC office bearers and officials, the CVC said “The issues are still under investigation. Hence, responsibility has not been fixed so far.”

Out of the total projects, six were under the Sports Ministry, four handled by Delhi Development Authority, three by OC, two each by Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Central Public Works Department and the Government of National Capital territory of Delhi, it said.

One work each relating to Department of Commerce, Indian Meteorological Department and New Delhi Municipal Council is also being probed, the RTI reply said.

According to CVC officials, complaints relating to discrepancies in tenders and alleged misappropriation in construction and procurement works carried out by civic and construction agencies were being probed.

The amount involved could be in the range of Rs 5,000-8,000 crore, they claimed.

CVC said the discrepancies like payment to non-existent parties, wilful delay in execution of contracts, over-inflated price and bungling in purchase of equipment through tendering have been noticed.

Complaints regarding alleged irregularities in purchase of air conditioners, furniture and kitchen equipment for the Games Village are also being looked into by the Commission, it said.

The Chief Technical Examination Wing of CVC had earlier claimed financial and administrative irregularities in 16 construction and procurement projects.

Six of them were done by PWD, three by MCD, two each by CPWD, DDA, NDMC and one by RITES, a Government of India Enterprise, a CVC report said.