Hindustan Times 02.09.2010
NDMC spends R222 crore on consultancy for GamesIn its first public disclosure under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has said it paid over R 200 crore to consultants for Commonwealth Games 2010-related work since 2006. The Central Information Commission (CIC) had asked all government bodies to disclose information regarding works undertaken for the Games on its website.
The NDMC was given a deadline till August-end, whereas the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi government have a Sep-end deadline.
CIC Shailesh Gandhi had said the commission would ensure transparency in executing of works related to the Games. The NDMC is the first civic body to make such a disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act.
Information available on the council's website shows it paid over R 200 crore as consultancy fees for providing services for execution and supervision of 45 projects in the NDMC area, since 2005. Some of these projects are as yet incomplete.
Information on the website shows that the council had paid several crores of rupees for projects, which have crossed their deadline. For multi-level parking facilities at Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Baba Kharag Singh Marg and Sarojini Nagar, the NDMC has already paid consultants over R 3.6 crore.
The council has already paid R 1.09 crore to private consultants for monitoring construction of a new block and a basement at Shivaji (hockey) Stadium, which will not be ready for the Games. The consultant had got work for two stadiums, of which the Talkatora Stadium, where swimming events will be held, is complete.
One of the heaviest payments made to consultants was for 're-development of Connaught Place'. The council has paid R 14.85 crore to a Government of India undertaking — Engineers India Ltd — for the project between May 2008 and December 2010.
The NDMC declared Connaught Place will not be ready to receive foreign tourists expected for the Games. "Whatever the delay, the NDMC has been prompt in disclosing the information, which is mandatory under the RTI Act," said a CIC official.
