SAD alleges scam in street light tenders

Ludhiana, June 18

The district unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has alleged a scam in tenders for street light works, which have already been carried out, and sought an inquiry into the matter.

District SAD president-cum-former MLA Ranjit Singh Dhillon has claimed that the MC has floated tenders for 32 works related to street lights and bids for these are to be opened on June 19. Bids for tenders of four more works related to street lights are supposed to be opened on June 22. The estimated cost of each work is Rs 2 lakh.

“On the one hand the government has signed an agreement with a private firm for installation of LED street lights at 1.05 lakh points across the city, but on the other, the MC has floated tenders for street light works which have already been carried out. Spurious material was used in street light works. How can they float tenders after works have been carried out? It is a scam but no action is being taken due to pressure of the ruling party,” alleged Dhillon.

He said: “We sought from Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu to conduct an inquiry and take action against the officials concerned for preparing estimates and giving approval for tenders. This scam could be running into crores of rupees. The quality of all LED street lights, which were earlier installed in the city, should be checked.”

Despite repeated attempts, Executive Engineer Balwinder Singh could not be contacted for comment. Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu denied allegations leveled by the SAD. “The allegations are completely false,” he added. — TNS