Delhi Govt. under fire over lapses

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly V.K. Malhotra on Monday criticised the Delhi Government for the various serious financial lapses on its part that have been brought to light in the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Addressing a press conference, Prof. Malhotra charged that the Delhi Government has lost the confidence of the people.

“There could not be a more damning indictment of the Delhi Government than the CAG report for the year ending March 2009 as it belies the Government's assertions of clean and transparent administration on all fronts,” he said.

“The CAG has reported mal-administration and financial impropriety in practically all departments of the Delhi Government,” he said, adding that it has indicated that the Government had caused losses worth over Rs.2,000 crore. “Crores of rupees have also been lost due to payments to unregistered contractors in a clear case of corruption in action,” Prof. Malhotra alleged.

‘Not an accident'

“In effect,” he said, “this administration has been found paying more money that was required in almost every instance, or paying wastefully or underutilising funds while charging the citizens increased tariff.”