AAP demands CBI probe into alleged fund misappropriation in civic bodies

NEW DELHI:The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday demanded a CBI inquiry into alleged embezzlement of funds to the tune of ₹1,943 crore in the three municipal corporations of Delhi, allegedly in the name of pension payment to ghost employees between 1998 to 2014-15.

Delhi water minister Kapil Mishra told reporters that the findings vindicate the allegations of AAP dispensation. He was reacting to a news report about the internal auditor of the civic bodies raising questions over payment by pension cell over 17 years without verifying the status of the beneficiaries.

“We have been raising this issue that the MCD stands for the most corrupt department. Despite the AAP government increasing funds, the BJP-ruled MCDs have failed to give salary to poor employees because the money is going somewhere else,” Mishra said.

“And as per the report, this has been going in for 18 years, during which both BJP and Congress have ruled MCDs. It means both are involved in the scam...We demand a CBI inquiry into the matter. If inquiry is not initiated by the BJP government at the Centre, other options including moving court are open (before the party),” Mishra said.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said Kapil Mishra’s charges of corruption in the pension distribution in the municipal corporations is due to his lack of administrative knowledge. “Employee pension is completely based on the verification by the banks and there is no role of the MCD officials and leaders in its payment,” he said.

Subhash Arya, leader of house, South Corporation said: “The municipal corporation is responsible for depositing money in bank accounts and then it is the responsibility of the banks to deposit and verify the status of the pensioners.” “Our responsibility is just to reconcile the receipt and payment details of pensioners ,” he added.