BJP targets Delhi CM Kejriwal, alleges corruption in construction of classrooms

Ahead of chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal’s confidence motion in the Assembly, Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday slammed CM Kejriwal against a “major scam” of not building 500 new government schools.

The BJP alleged that the Delhi government had been involved in corruption over the construction of new classrooms. BJP said the tender was given to “selected contractors”.

BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia hit out at CM Kejriwal and said, “AAP’s manifesto promised 500 new schools in Delhi. The new schools didn’t come up but, in a pre-planned manner, they sought a report from the Public Welfare Department.”

Addressing the press conference Bhatia further said, “Submitted at the behest of Arvind Kejriwal, the report stated that additional classrooms will be built and new schools won’t be built. Now it is said that extra rooms will be built in the schools, but new schools will not be opened. There was a requirement of 2,400 rooms in the school, but this was increased to 7,180.”

Meanwhile, BJP leader Bhatia said in the construction of the classrooms there was a hike of 50 to 90 percent in the cost.

“50-90 percent hiked construction cost was shown, overlooking provisions of CPWD manual, for profit so that tender can be given to select contractors. Matter of concern as CVC inquiry report that a major scam took place, was sent to Delhi government Vigilance secretary 2.5 years back,’ Bhatia said.

“6133 classrooms were supposed to be built due to the escalation in the cost. However, only 4027 classrooms were built. According to an estimate, Rs 326 crore cost escalation took place. It was more than 53 percent of the tender amount,” Bhatia said.

Moreover, BJP Delhi Chief Adesh Gupta alleged that an architect close to Minister Satyendar Jain was appointed by CM Kejriwal. In connection with the money laundering case Minister Satyendar Jain is in jail.

“Everything happens via tender. He (Delhi CM) arbitrarily appointed an architect, a consultant close to jailed minister Satyendar Jain – Babbar and Babbar. He appointed a consultant without tender. It should be probed,” Gupta said.

“It has been found that Babbar and Babbar Associate too was appointed by Delhi government without tender. This is a matter of grave corruption,” Gupta alleged.