Synopsis
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva criticizes Arvind Kejriwal over a classroom construction scandal worth Rs 2,000 crore. Allegations include inflated costs and procedural violations. Sachdeva demands a thorough investigation into Kejriwal's role, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in public spending.Key Takeaways
- Delhi BJP President demands investigation into Kejriwal's alleged role.
- Over Rs 2,000 crore is at stake in the classroom construction scam.
- FIR filed against key figures including Manish Sisodia.
- Allegations include inflated costs and procedural violations.
- BJP insists on accountability and transparency in governance.
New Delhi, April 30 (NationPress) The President of Delhi BJP, Virendra Sachdeva, has vehemently criticized former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal regarding the purported classroom construction scandal, urging for a thorough inquiry into his involvement and immediate action against all implicated parties.
This incident comes in the wake of an FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) against former Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia, along with former Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satyendar Jain.
The allegations involve irregularities in the construction of 12,748 classrooms at inflated expenses during the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration, with the fraudulent activities estimated at around Rs 2,000 crore.
As per the ACB, contracts were distributed among 34 companies, many of which are reportedly associated with the AAP.
Investigators have identified significant cost increases and procedural breaches. Numerous classroom construction projects were not finished on schedule, and consultants and architects were assigned without a proper tendering process, allegedly aiding inflated expenses.
Sachdeva emphasized these irregularities, stating, “Arvind Kejriwal allocated Rs 2,982 crore for 12,748 classrooms. If you divide Rs 2,982 crore by 12,748, the cost per classroom is about Rs 24.86 lakh. However, according to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) manual, the cost of a single school room should not surpass Rs 5 lakh.”
He further mentioned that when this discrepancy was first uncovered, BJP leaders such as Harish Khurana, Kapil Mishra, and Neelkanth Bakshi had lodged a complaint with the ACB. Nonetheless, Sachdeva claimed that the Kejriwal government obstructed the investigation for almost eight years.
“Despite the government's efforts to conceal the issue, the BJP kept raising concerns. According to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report and the preliminary findings from the ACB, contracts worth over Rs 999 crore were intentionally split into smaller amounts to evade Cabinet approval and bypass the Lieutenant Governor’s scrutiny,” he asserted.
Sachdeva also highlighted inconsistencies in the classification of classroom construction.
“There are distinct guidelines for semi-permanent and permanent classrooms, with semi-permanent ones lasting approximately 30 years and permanent structures lasting up to 75 years. Funds were designated for permanent rooms, yet in numerous instances, semi-permanent structures were constructed. In 2022–23, the Chief Technical Examiner presented a report to Kejriwal outlining these issues, but the report was allegedly suppressed,” he remarked.
Reiterating the party’s position, Sachdeva concluded, “While FIRs have been lodged against Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, Arvind Kejriwal’s role must also be extensively scrutinized. This investigation must advance promptly, and stringent measures should be implemented against those who have not only betrayed the public trust but also endangered our children's future.”
