New Delhi: Delhi Lokayukta on Friday issued notice to city government directing it to furnish details of the decision making process in putting photographs of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chouhan on aforms offering loan to youths.
The notice was issued by Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin to Delhi SC/ST/ OBC/Minority and Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation which is nodal agency offering the loan to the youths from these communities.
The notice came in response to a complaint filed with the Lokayukta by senior BJP leader Harsh Vardhan who alleged that printing of photographs of Dikshit and Chouhan is "violation of norms of integrity and conduct" expected from public functionaries.
Alleged misuse of public funds by Dikshit and Chouhan for "personal and selfish political motives", Vardhan in his complaint said the form for disbursal of loan to the beneficiaries is being sold for Rs 100 which was free earlier.
"Before issuing notices to the respondents, this forum would like to ascertain how the proposal for printing of the photographs on the loan application form was mooted, its processing and approval," the Lokayukta said in his order.
He has asked Delhi SC/ST/ OBC/Minority and Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation to reply to the notice by October 12.
Delhi government earlier this month had launched Dilli Swarojgar Yojna under which youths from SC, ST, OBC and minority communities will be given loan up to Rs 5 lakh.
The forms distributed for availing the loan carried photographs of Dikshit as well as Chouhan who is in-charge of Welfare of SC, ST department.
The BJP had earlier took strong exception to inclusion of photographs of Dikshit and Chouhan on the form. However, Dikshit had dismissed the criticism saying there was noting wrong in it.
PTI
