A day after Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government's ambitious project of CCTV installation in national Capital is a big scam, the AAP hit back at him and accused Maken of working on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s agenda and creating roadblocks in way of Delhi Government projects.
Senior AAP leader and Delhi Convener Gopal Rai sought to know if the Delhi Congress chief was planning to join the BJP. Rai alleged that Maken is trying to create roadblocks in the CCTV project like he allegedly did at the time of Mohalla Clinic project due to which it was delayed by eight months.
He also sought to know as to how many CCTV cameras were installed by the Sheila Dikshit Government in15 years of Congress reigning in Delhi.
Rai clarified that there were two types of tenders: Rate Contract Tender and Project Contract Tender. He said the Delhi Government was installing CCTV cameras through the “Rate Contract Tender”, under which payment to the agency concerned is made based on the basis of rate-per-unit. He said that the Cabinet note pertaining to the project had been prepared and it would be sent for its approval.
“I want to ask whether Maken is trying to extend benefits to the private company, which had quoted a higher rate to install CCTV cameras as compared to the Central Government agency. Is he working on the BJP agendaIJ Who are indulged in the conspiracy to stall the CCTV projectIJ” said Rai.
Notably Maken has raised questions on the rise in the cost of project and the “dilution” of the tender conditions. Maken also alleged that the AAP Government was evading scrutiny in the project by “planting stories attributing the delay to lG Anil Baijal approval”.
Rejecting Maken's charges that tenders were finalised without the approval of the competent authority, the AAP's Delhi convener said the Government had not relaxed rules to favour any agency.
“When tenders were issued for the first time in November 2017, two companies had come forward. When tenders were floated again, the same companies, a private agency and a public sector undertaking showed interest. Where is a scam in it when there was no third company involvedIJ” asked Rai.
The Government chose the Public Sector Unit which quoted a lesser rate to install CCTV cameras as compared to the private company,” Rai told the media persons on Tuesday.
Rai added CCTV cameras are a major step towards the safety of women in the Capital and Maken is trying to create hurdles in it. “The Delhi Government is installing CCTV cameras to ensure women safety, but if it is stalled, the people of Delhi will give a befitting reply to Ajay Maken,” said Rai.