The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on Monday grilled officials of the Urban Development Ministry, Central Public Works Department and the Delhi Development Authority on their role in implementing various projects relating to the Commonwealth Games, 2010.
The members, sources in the panel said, were not satisfied with the deposition of the key officials, particularly on various construction projects, including the Games Village.
Members charged the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) of providing “undue favour” to Emaar MGF in pre-qualification and technical qualification bids. The DDA representatives said the bid submitted by DLF Ltd was conditional and was “outrightly” rejected. They argued that the Authority never accepted conditional bids and the bid of Emaar MGF was not conditional.
They also said in the meeting that their selection process was “proved right” as the flats made by the Authority in the village was sold for much higher prices. They said the DLF wanted the DDA to get all Government clearances, but Emaar MGF did not set any such conditions. The Committee members, however, were not satisfied with the answer. Cutting across party lines, they said getting a higher price for the flats does not justify DDA’s actions.
The Urban Development Ministry told the Committee that the Sports Ministry was dealing with the Public Works Department directly during the Games. The Secretary of the Ministry said they had no information of the CPWD’s role in the Games .
The Sports Ministry has been claiming that all construction works related to the Games was constantly monitored by the Urban Development Ministry.
Members in the panel Mr Shashi Tharoor and Mr Sandeep Dikshit were absent in the meeting. There was also a controversy over payment of money by the Organising Committee of the Games allegedly to Mr Tharoor for consultancy services.