Only matchless Mayawati can do this. She diverted almost 100 per cent Budget of the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam limited for the construction of four memorials in memory of Dalit icons during her regime between 2007 and 2012 drawing the ire of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
The CAG made a critical remark on the exorbitant expenditure when it said that the UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam limited, the main executing agency for the construction of memorials, was allotted 98.61 per cent of the total financial outlay of Rs 4,558.01 crore. The report of the CAG was tabled in the UP Assembly on Tuesday.
The four memorials, which were constructed with Government funds, are Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal, Kanshiram Smarak Sthal, Bauddh Vihar Shanti Upvan, Eco Park and Kanshiram Green (Eco) Garden in lucknow. The New Okhla Industrial Development Authority sanctioned the construction of memorial at Noida (Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal).
The Nirman Nigam is meant to construct infrastructure in the state like bridges, culverts and roads. But during the BSP regime, the money was diverted for the construction of memorials.
The CAG said that expenditure finance committee did not examine the necessity and expediency aspects of the projects. The original sanctioned outlay of Rs 943.73 crore for these projects was finally revised to Rs 4,558.01 crore with the hike ranging from 192 to 986 per cent.
The excess expenditure of Rs 10.53 crore was incurred by the executing agency while it made avoidable payment of taxes of Rs 4.05 crore and failed to deduct VAT at source of Rs 3.64 crore.
The report added that the selection of consultants for comprehensive consultancy and architectural services was not made through competitive bidding while excess payment of Rs 2.31 crore was made to consultants after payment at higher rates for repetitive works and incorrect calculation of project.