CWG-related contracts, construction work under CVC scanner

The Central Vigilance Commission is examining all construction work related to Commonwealth Games being undertaken by civic agencies following complaints of alleged large-scale corruption. The anti-corruption watchdog has also decided to formulate vigilance guidelines to check Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

"Apart from expeditiously attending to complaints relating to the Games, the Commission, through its Chief Technical Examiner's Wing, is keeping a close watch on all the contracts and works undertaken for the Commonwealth Games," Chief Vigilance Commissioner Pratyush Sinha said in an interview.

The decision comes following complaints alleging discrepancies in the work being undertaken by civic agencies like Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Development Authority and Central Public Works Department among others.

"Since PPP scheme is at a nascent stage and involves numerous complexities, the Commission has constituted a committee to formulate a strategy for vigilance response. Vigilance guidelines for PPP projects would be finalised soon", said Sinha.

The CVC said the Commission is facing a shortage of senior officers. "There is shortage of Deputy Secretaries or Directors who are at the cutting edge of the Commission's work. All examination in the Commission is initiated and conducted by them and as a result, the existing staff is overburdened," he said.

"The Commission does not normally face any difficulty except delays. The Commission has placed special emphasis on capacity-building of vigilance administration to train the staff in investigation," Sinha said.

According to official data, the strength of probity watchdog is about 290 and faces a shortage of about 25 senior officials.

Asked about steps being taken by it to check corruption, the official said "the Central Vigilance Commission is only a recommendatory body which advises suitable disciplinary action against government officials.

"It is for the administrative authority to impose the punishment effectively and promptly.... What is of concern, from an impressionistic view, is that deviations are noticed in the case of higher level officials and occur in some organisation," the CVC said.