Lokayukta hints at inquiry against "public functionaries"

New Delhi, Aug 9 (PTI) In possible trouble for Delhi
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, the city Lokayukta (state
anti-corruption ombudsman) on Tuesday indicated it may launch
inquiry against "public functionaries" named by the CAG for
alleged irregularities in Commonwealth Games projects.
Sources said Lokayukta Justice Manmohan has decided to
thoroughly examine the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General of
India) report and will take a decision on an inquiry against
the public functionaries based on the allegations contained
against them in the report.
The CAG report, which was tabled in Parliament on Friday,
has severely indicted Dikshit for irregularities in certain
CWG projects implemented by her government following which
primary Opposition Bhartiya Janata Party has mounted pressure
on her to step down.
"If the report discloses facts which constitute an
allegation within the meaning of the Delhi Lokayukta and UPA
Lokayukta Act 1995, then the Lokayukta is duty-bound to
inquire into the allegations," sources in the Lokayukta office
told PTI.
The Lokayukta on Tuesday sent a letter to the Comptroller
and Auditor General seeking an "official copy" of its report
into the Commonwealth Games spendings.
"The Lokayukta has sought a copy of the report from the
Comptroller and Auditor General so that he could examine the
allegations mentioned in the report against the public
functionaries which fall under his jurisdiction," they said.
The CAG report indicted Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for
her "active involvement" in the grant of a work incurring a
loss of Rs 30 crores while slamming her government on some
projects that led to a loss and escalation of costs of nearly
Rs 500 crores.