Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, on Monday alleged gross financial irregularities committed by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). While Mr. Gupta alleged that the water utility assigned work for installation of water atms to a single bidder and demanded a CBI probe into the Rs 500-crore scam, the DJB rebutted by saying that all procedures were followed.
Mr. Gupta said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has cleared a scheme of selling water to people living in 29 unauthorised colonies at Rs. 5 per 20 litres. “It is strange that a government which claims to provide water free of charge up to 20,000 litres would sell the water at a high rate to weaker sections. Not only this, in the process of providing water, it is giving benefit of Rs. 500 crore to a private firm chosen against the financial rules,” he said.
BJP MLA O.P. Sharma said the contract for water atms has been awarded to a single firm which participated in the tendering procedure. “As per rule, there should be at least three competitors for tendering procedure to be complete and fair. But in violation of the rules, the Rs. 500-crore contract has been awarded to a single firm. We urge the Lt. Governor to initiate a CBI inquiry into the matter,” said Mr. Sharma.
The DJB rubbished the allegations by calling those ‘incorrect’. “Proper procedure has been adopted. Pre-bid meeting was called wherein six perspective bidders participated. Nowhere is there a provision that for award of work three bids are necessary to be received. If rates are economical, even a single bid can be considered. The rates received in previous tenders are Rs. 7 per 20 litres. However, in the instant case, the rates are Rs. 5 per 20 litres,” said a DJB Spokesperson.
