Responding to allegations that there were irregularities in award of contract by the Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who is the chairperson of the body, on Saturday denied any wrongdoings and asserted that laid down norms were followed in deciding bids.
Ms. Dikshit came under attack from the Opposition after the Central Bureau of Investigation initiated a probe into the matter. She said the terms and conditions of tenders were formulated by “technocrats and officers” of the Jal Board and added that as chairperson she has no role in it.
“The Chief Minister’s Office as well as the DJB chairperson has nothing to do with the finalisation of terms and conditions of the tenders, bid documents, bidding and other related processes. At the board level, only major decisions are taken, including granting administrative approval and expenditure sanctions beyond the powers of the Jal Board,” she added.
Stating that the investigating agency has only raised certain posers and asked the Jal Board to submit its answers, Ms. Dikshit said, it was a routine exercise being adopted by the CBI before taking any matter for investigation.
Following the CBI inquiry, the BJP on Friday had alleged that tender conditions for uninterrupted water supply to these areas were “tailor-made” to suit some of the bidders. The DJB denied the allegations.
“The bid documents, in respect of the four projects were prepared by the DJB based on the model documents of the Planning Commission. Further, the bidding was through internationally accepted and transparent e-tendering process and the procedures were fully followed by DJB before awarding the work,” she said, adding that the DJB completed the process as per the established procedure.
The Chief Minster said the Jal Board was concentrating on installation of water meters in order to provide correct bills to residents as per their actual usage.
Further, Ms. Dikshit stated that the Congress has planned to release manifesto for election to the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. She added that the manifesto will reflect “our vision for the next five years”.
