Vijender Gupta says LG ordered graft probe

NEW DELHI: BJP MLA Vijender Gupta has claimed that the Delhi government’s vigilance department has asked the CBI to investigate the hiring of three private security firms by the health department.
Gupta claimed the LG gave these directions as the firms were hired without floating any tender, thereby causing a loss of Rs 10.5 crore to the exchequer.
These firms, Gupta claimed, were engaged to provide security in the emergency area of hospitals on the grounds that there were increasing number of attacks on doctors and paramedics.“The department never wrote to the police or engaged ex-servicemen/home guards or civil defence volunteers. It appointed the firms on a nomination basis; it didn’t consider floating a tender. This was done in violation of the government’s general financial rules. The vigilance department has forwarded the matter to CBI as it found gross irregularities,” said Gupta, the leader of opposition in the Delhi assembly.
Gupta also alleged that the health department didn’t assess the actual manpower requirement. “It also didn’t project the expenditure involved. The three firms themselves submitted manpower requirements and the government accepted it,” he said.
Gupta demanded a time-bound investigation by CBI and the immediate suspension of the work orders of the firms.