C'Wealth Games scam: Shunglu wants public money back, advocates social audit

Noting that certain contractors were unduly favoured resulting in windfall gains for them, huge public money wasted in light of poor planning and supervision for CWG projects, the prime minister-appointed Shunglu Committee has recommended a ‘social audit’ of projects like street lighting and street-scaping in the next two months to find out the ‘real work’ done and expose the extent of corruption.

The committee, headed by former comptroller and auditor-general (CAG) VK Shunglu, said that steps should be taken to recover the amount from pending bills of contractors who have got undue gains and suitable actions should be initiated against them.

“To refurbish the image of the city, over Rs700 crore was spent on upgradation of streetlighting, street-scaping and signage in the city. The committee probe shows that the projects relating to street-lighting, street-scaping and signage, executed by PWD (public works department), NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council), and MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi), could have been implemented in a more ‘cost-effective’ and ‘efficient’ manner,” the report said.

The report observed designing in streetlighting projects and found the average lux level on most roads above the specified level, leading to higher energy bills of approximately Rs 4.55 crore per year.

The committee’s detailed examination of ‘city image’ improvement projects showed that NDMC and MCD acted as adjuncts of the Delhi government rather than as independent entities.

“The chief minister (Sheila Dikshit) took personal interest in the planning and execution of these projects. While full credit must be given to the CM for the leadership provided, she also carries the responsibility for the decisions taken, including those relating to ‘city image’ improvement projects which cost the city dear,” the report added.