Seven months on, MC yet to start probe

While the committee was constituted in September, no work has been started by the members. In fact, the members have not met even once. One of the reasons being cited is that while the Mayor constituted the committee but she has not yet given permission for getting the samples tested. The committee can only inspect the sites where work is going on.

The cement scam was unearthed in March this year after the UT Vigilance Cell nabbed a contractor while pilfering 200 bags of cement from a store in Sector 17. The cement was meant for the project for upgrading the infrastructure in Sector 17. It was further revealed that A K Sood Builders and Engineers to whom the contract had been given had further sublet it to Sarvpriya Building Products.

Thereafter the Municipal Corporation had blacklisted the two contractors. A section of the councillors had created a lot of hue and cry about the two contractors being favoured by the officials and a large number of contracts being given to them.

It was demanded that a committee of councillors be constituted to look into the projects. Mayor Anu Chatrath then constituted a five-member committee headed by councillor Jagjit Kang. It also included councillors from all parties as well as a nominated councillor. Kang says, “I would call a meeting of the members of the committee next week and move a resolution that the samples of the material being used at the site be tested. Otherwise the purpose of the investigation would be lost. The two contractors have been given a large number of contracts. It is important that the work still being undertaken by them be checked.”

The councillors had earlier demanded that all contracts given to the two contractors be canceled. The officials had however stated that the work that has already started cannot be cancelled.