Delhi LG gives nod for registration of case under anti-corruption law against two PWD engineers

New Delhi [India], October 17 (ANI): Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has given his nod for the registration of a case under the anti-corruption law against an assistant engineer and junior engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) in an alleged scam relating to a road construction project in 2014-15 in the national capital.

LG accorded approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 1988, for the registration of the case against assistant engineer JS Chauhan, and junior engineer Devi Singh on the complaint that they released payment to the contractor without proper verification of work done at a site in South Delhi, according to a press note from the LG’s Office.

In a strong message to the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi LG has given the nod for registration of the case despite the fact that the administrative department, i.e., PWD, had not recommended an inquiry against them, the press note stated.

In the case of the accused Executive Engineer in the same matter, the decision will be taken by the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA) since he is a Group ‘A’ Officer. According to the approval, the LG has gone by the findings of the Anti-Corruption Branch, GNCTD, and the recommendation of the Directorate of Vigilance, the note stated.

Saxena has also ordered action to be taken against the concerned officers of the PWD who tried to shield the accused engineers, despite a prima facie case being made by the ACB against them.

The LG noted that, on perusal of the facts and records of the case, he is of the considered view that it is in the interest of justice to investigate the allegations after registering a case.

The allegations are based on the complaint dated May 19, 2017, filed by Rahul Sharma, founder of the NGO – ‘Roads Anti-Corruption Organisation’, that payments were made even as no work was done at the site of “strengthening of road and improvement of footpath, drainage system, central verge of EPDP Road (Malik Ram Issar Marg, New Delhi)” Kalkaji area, thereby causing loss to Government exchequer.

The ACB, GNCTD, after conducting preliminary enquiry has registered a complaint relating to the aforesaid work against three PWD Engineers, viz. Executive Engineer, RS Garg, Assistant Engineer, J.S. Chauhan and Junior Engineer, Devi Singh.

“The contract for the work of more than Rs 6 crore (Rs 6,33,69,235), 18.79 per cent below the estimated cost of over Rs 7 crore (Rs 7,80,31,320) was awarded to M/s. M.C. Construction Co. As per PWD’s material inward/MAS register, the material was procured/ received from various firms and the contractor submitted invoices of the major material i.e bitumen, but invoices of other material used in construction were not submitted by him,” the press note said.

The 18 invoices provided by PWD on account of the purchase of bitumen were verified and were found to be fake. Subsequently, the Trade and Taxes Department also imposed a penalty upon the firm for filing misleading returns of purchases made by the contractor firm.