Vigilance starts quizzing three former MC addl commissioners

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 10

The UT Vigilance Department had summoned three former MC additional commissioners last week in connection with the ongoing probe into alleged overcharging and other violations by paid parking lots in the city.

The department had summoned former MC additional commissioners Lalit Siwach, Sunil Bhatia and Sarita Malik, at present posted as Director (Sports), UT.

Sources said Siwach had recorded his statement before the department while Malik and Bhatia were yet to record their statements. The sources said Malik had given a date for recording her statement while Bhatia, who did not turn up, had been given the last opportunity to record his statement.

After the Elante Mall paid parking case, UT Adviser Vijay Kumar Dev, in August last year, had ordered a Vigilance probe into overcharging and other violations at the remaining 24 parking lots in the city. On the Adviser’s directions, the UT Vigilance Department had initiated the probe.

A senior official of the UT Vigilance Department said recently the Central Vigilance Commission had issued fresh guidelines in connection with conducting a Vigilance probe. In line with the guidelines, these officials were asked to record their statements, he said.

The sources said the Vigilance Department had collected documents, which revealed that despite a number of violations, officials of the MC Enforcement Department had given “satisfactory performance” reports in favour of the contractors. On the basis of these reports, MC officials renewed their contract.

Dept favoured action

The UT Vigilance Department, in its inquiry report on the Elante Mall paid parking lot, which was submitted to UT Adviser Vijay Kumar Dev, had recommended suitable departmental action against former MC Additional Commissioner Sarita Malik and three other MC officials.