Outgoing improvement trust chairman alleges scam

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 29

The outgoing chairman of the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT), Suresh Mahajan, has alleged scam in price quoted for the highest Tricolour in the country, which is installed at the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post (JCP).

He levelled the allegation in a communiqué to Prime Minister Narendra Modi here today and sought a CBI inquiry into the matter.

Mahajan said the cost of 85 metre-long pole was Rs 99.97 lakh. However, its length was stretched to 105 metre (360 foot approx), inflating its cost to nearly Rs 3.43 crore. He said it meant that 20 metre increase cost the AIT Rs 2.43 crore. He demanded that the matter need to be probed. The flag was a dream project of former Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi.

Mahajan added that he had made a noting of not releasing payment for the cost of the National Flag before conducting an inquiry. Besides, he wanted to fix responsibility for the maintenance of the Tricolour.

“However, officials released the payment, ignoring my noting. It shows connivance of someone from the Trust with the private company,” he claimed.

He said three flags were torn due to enormous wind pressure as it was hoisted close to the international border with Pakistan. Each flag costs Rs 1.50 lakh to the AIT, he added.

Expressing his surprise over utter failure to take technical advice before undertaking gigantic task of installing country’s tallest Tricolour he said it was hurting patriotic sentiments of visitors at the Attari border, who come to view the Retreat Ceremony.