Vigilance dept seeks a PWD report on Flag Staff expenses

The Delhi government's vigilance department has asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to submit a report on the allegations of irregularities in the procurement of "lavish items" and fixtures, and violation of protocol in the renovation of 6, Flag Staff Road bungalow - where Arvind Kejriwal lived during his tenure as chief minister - officials aware of the development said on Thursday.

- Paras Singh

PWD has been asked to submit within five days the report on these allegations, said leader of the opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta. The action came following orders from lieutenant governor VK Saxena after the BJP leader on November 20 had sought a high-level inquiry into the matter.

The AAP maintained that the allegations were false.

The directorate of vigilance, in a December 19 letter to the PWD principal secretary, sought details about "the identity of the individuals or organisation that provided the lavish items to the chief minister's bungalow" at Flag Staff Road, "whether any financial transactions or benefits were made in exchange for these items"; "the possible impact on public funds and whether there was any violation of government protocols in the process", and "other relevant information that could help clarify the circumstances surrounding these items."