Saathi alleges MCD bunglings

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, NOV. 6. The Delhi Finance Minister, Mr. Mahinder Singh Saathi, today accused the BJP-ruled Municipal Corporation of Delhi of ``major financial bungling'' by disclosing that it had taken Rs. 100 crores from the Centre for development of those roads for which it had been allocated Rs. 128 crores by the Delhi Government out of which Rs. 55 crores in two instalments has been disbursed so far.

Alleging that this smacked of a scam, Mr. Saathi raised doubts about the motive behind seeking such a huge sum from the Centre directly when money had already been given by the Delhi Government. This revelation could well lead to many red faces in the MCD and the Union Urban Development Ministry.

Releasing copies of the MoU signed by MCD with the Centre and the Action Plan submitted by the civic body to the Delhi Government, Mr. Saathi said of the total of 68 roads outlined for repair and development by the MCD, 48 roads were common and also figured in the Action Plan submitted to the State Government.

He said after a careful scrutiny of the MoU, it was unearthed that Rs. 105.54 crores had been sought from the Delhi Government for the same roads which were forwarded to the Union Urban Development Ministry. Accusing the MCD of indulging in big financial bungling, Mr. Saathi said the Delhi Government had allocated Rs. 110 crores for roads to the MCD, an additional unspent amount of Rs. 18 crores last year was also allowed to be carried forward taking the total to Rs. 128 crores. Of this, Rs. 55 crores had been released in two installments for roads only.

``It is shameful that the MCD has resorted to such fraudulent practice not only to fool the people but also the Centre. What is more shocking is that the Vajpayee led-NDA Government had become a party to such misappropriation by the corrupt elements in MCD. They have earmarked 68 roads for development and repair in various parts of the Capital over the next two years under the MoU. Out of this, funds had also been sought from the Delhi Government for 48 roads. They have resorted to camouflaging of facts which casts doubt on their motives as regards proper utilisation of funds. This is totally criminal and we have taken a serious view of this fraud sought to be played on the people of Delhi,'' Mr. Saathi stated.

He said this ``dubious act'' of the MCD, at the behest of its political leadership, had given strength to the allegations by his party legislators that the Rs. 100 crores fund was sanctioned with an intention of indirectly funding the party during the coming MCD elections and Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

It is also amply clear that a nexus of political leaders and officials in the MCD were at work to siphon off public money for party activities. ``I wish to know from the Union Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ananth Kumar, if he had properly gone through the MoU and how he planned to go about in view of these disclosures. Will he seek an explanation from the MCD? Anyway Mr. Kumar owns an explanation to the people of Delhi,'' he remarked.Some important roads which find mention in both the MoU and Action Plan are Mathura Road from Tilak Nagar crossing to DPS; the Lala Lajpat Rai Marg from Lady Sriram College to Paras Chowk; Tamil Sangam Marg in R.K. Puram; Vasant Marg in Vasant Vihar; Roads of Sector 17, Rohini; B-2 Marg from Najafgarh Road to Janakpuri Marg; B-1 Marg from Najafgarh Road to Janakpuri Marg; Vidhya Marg from Pankha Road to Janakpuri Marg; Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg; Auchandi Road from Shahbad Daulatpur culvert to Prahladpur; SS Rana Road in Adarsh Nagar; Bindapur Matiala Road; Road from Kali Dass Marg to Maurice Nagar passing through Shakti Nagar; Ghewra Bawana Road, widening of Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg from Lodhi Hotel to Ring Road; widening of bridge on Western Yamuna Canal on Ashoka Vihar with Road No. 37 and over half-a- dozen roads in the Okhla Industrial Area of South Delhi.

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