Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Trade and Industry wing president N K Sharma on Wednesday blew the lid off an alleged Rs 1,500 crore LED purchase agreement scam perpetrated by the Local Bodies ministry in conjunction with private players to install 74,944 LED lights at severely inflated prices in municipalities across Punjab.
Asserting that the scam was allegedly initiated by the local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and completed by his successor Brahm Mohindra, the SAD leader said it was the first time in the history of the State that the government had agreed to pay private players Rs 1,520 crore over a period of ten years for an investment of Rs 60 crore.
Sharma, who has also complained to the State Vigilance department and demanded a thorough probe into the kickbacks received by top Congress functionaries including successive Local Bodies ministers, said “there is very less likelihood of getting justice from this corrupt government”.
He said “once the SAD-BSP alliance government is sworn in we will not only order registration of a case in this matter but also forward the case for a CBI or central vigilance commission probe. We are determined that all those guilty of looting the State exchequer, in this case, should be put behind bars”.
The SAD leader said it was shocking that the government had committed to pay Rs 1,520 crore over a period of ten years for a total investment of only Rs 60 crore. “This amounts to daylight plunder of the State exchequer”, he said adding the contract was approved by Mr Navjot Sidhu and later signed by Brahm Mohindra.
Asking Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi why he was not taking action in the case, Sharma said “the chief minister must explain if he has become a party in the case and is also partaking of the spoils of this scam”.
Sharma also highlighted other corrupt activities being conducted in the Dera Bassi constituency including large scale illegal sand mining in Zirakpur as well as cutting of Khair trees illegally in 90 acres of land in Lalru. He also highlighted how corrupt officers had been posted illegally in Zirkapur to fritter away the Rs 250 crore funds accumulated with the municipal council.
