Two months after CMO's letter, no audit of DND operator: NGO

Noida: An NGO has alleged that two months after Uttar Pradesh chief minister's office asked Noida Authority to take note of the activist group's demand for an audit of the DND Flyway operator, it is yet to take any action.
The state government cited two letters of Janhit Morcha, an activist group led by former BJP state minister and former MLA Nawab Singh Nagar, sent in November and December 2015, demanding an audit by the CAG into the contract agreement and accounts of the Flyway operator, Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL), and asked the Authority to take relevant action and submit an action-taken report.
The Authority is yet to take action on the letter written by UP special secretary Anil Kumar on March 16, under directions of Anita Singh, principal secretary to CM Akhilesh Yadav.
Noida Authority officials said they had not responded to the state government's letter, sent in March, as the relevant file has been lying with the legal department since January. "I'm not aware of any such letter from the government," said P K Agarwal, additional CEO (ACEO), Noida Authority. However, officials of the administrative department confirmed they had received the letter, and said they will soon send their reply to the government.
Authority officials also said the decision for an audit by the CAG, and any revision in the standing contract agreement with NTBCL, has to be taken by the government, and not the Authority. "Rama Raman, chairperson and CEO of Noida, wrote to the state government in May last year, conveying the need for an independent auditor into the accounts and contract agreement with the toll operator," said an official, adding, "The final call regarding setting up of a CAG audit, revision in agreement and whether the DND Flyway will be toll-free, has to be taken by the government. We will do as directed. We will also send our reply to the latest representation, citing the same."
In October last year, Nawab Singh Nagar had filed a PIL in the Supreme Court, challenging the collection of toll on the DND Flyway. He had also prayed that an audit be conducted into the company's accounts by an independent agency.
"Since the matter is sub-judice, we cannot comment on the issue or do anything. However, we will file our reply with the state government," said Rama Raman.