India / Centre recommends CBI to probe Delhi govt's purchase of 1,000 buses: Report

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday recommended the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into the alleged irregularities in the purchase of 1,000 low-floor buses by Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government.

A three-member committee was constituted by the Government of NCT Delhi for a detailed inquiry into the matter, said a letter written to the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government on August 16, the Home Ministry’s Additional Secretary (UT) Govind Mohan. 

“The matter has been examined in this Ministry and with the approval of competent authority, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has been requested to take necessary action for undertaking Preliminary Enquiry on the matter by the Central Bureau of Investigation,” news agency IANS quoted the letter as saying. 

Last month, Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had alleged a scam involving crores of rupees in the purchase of the 1,000 low-floor buses by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. 

The saffron party has also demanded the resignation of the transport Minister Kailash Gehlot and Delhi Transport Corporation Managing Director Vijay Bidhuri.

BJP MLA Vijender Gupta had approached the Lt. Governor for an inquiry committee after alleging irregularities in the terms of the purchase and maintenance contracts.

As per the allegations made by the BJP, Delhi government had placed a work order of 1,000 low-floor buses costing Rs 890 crore and also took out the tender for the annual maintenance of the buses for Rs 350 crore per year. Both these were handed over to the same bus suppliers, the party claimed. 

Delhi cabinet earlier this year approved the engagement of 300 low-floor electric AC buses by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). A three-member committee formed by LG in June had found procedural 'flaws' in the AMC and recommended scrapping it.