CWG: Shunglu panel names L-G for inadequacies

The V K Shunglu committee has indicted Delhi Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna for alleged inadequacies in construction of games village flats.

New Delhi: The V K Shunglu committee has found procedural violations in the construction of over 1,000 flats inside the Commonwealth Games Village by real estate developer Emmar MGF and indicted Delhi Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna for alleged inadequacies.

The Committee, appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to probe into charges of corruption in various projects related to the 2010 sporting extravaganza, has submitted two reports on alleged irregularities in executing contracts related to construction of the Games Village and other infrastructure projects. The report blamed a host of officials led by the Lt Governor for alleged acts of omission and commission which brought undue gains to the project developer and estimates that DDA suffered a loss of Rs 134-220 crore due to purchase of 333 flats at a higher rate, sources said. PMO officials said that the high level committee`s findings on award and execution of different residential and recreational facilities at the 63.5 hectares Games Village constructed near Akshardham Temple here has been sent to the Urban Development Ministry to carry out a detailed examination and submit its report by Saturday. The panel`s third report `City Infrastructure` on alleged financial and managerial discrepancies on several contracts executed by various agencies are being examined by the PMO, the officials said. The sources claimed that the Committee has found procedural violations in constructing the flats by Emmar MGF and named Khanna for alleged inadequacies. They said the report also spoke of the role of certain Delhi Government officials in infrastructure related projects. The Shunglu Committee had on January 31 submitted its first report on alleged irregularities in awarding broadcasting rights during the sporting extravaganza and recommended strict action against suspended Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharti B S Lalli and former Director General (Doordarshan) Aruna Sharma under relevant Sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act for their alleged act of omission and commission."The Prime Minister has directed on March 11, 2011, that the Ministry of Urban Development carry out a detailed examination of the Second Report of the High Level Committee on the Commonwealth Games Village, within 15 days. A considered decision on further action will be taken after these comments are received," a PMO statement said. Both Lalli, a 1971-batch IAS officer of, and Sharma (1982 batch IAS officer of MP cadre) are facing allegations of irregularities in the Rs 246 crore deal struck by public broadcasting body which included the controversial decision to give the contract for broadcast of the Games to a UK-based firm SIS Live. Shunglu, a former Comptroller and Auditor General, could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.Department (PWD), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), RITES (a government of India enterprise), Sports Ministry, Urban Development Ministry and Games Organising Committee among others are under the scanner of enforcement, investigating and vigilance agencies for alleged bungling. PTI