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Key Points

The Anti-Corruption Bureau has issued summons to AAP ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain over a massive classroom construction scam. The investigation alleges significant cost escalations in building semi-permanent school structures, with expenses reportedly inflated from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 24 lakh per classroom. The complaint, filed by BJP members, suggests the project involved 34 contractors potentially linked to the Aam Aadmi Party. The ACB is now probing the alleged irregularities in the Rs 2,000 crore project.

Key Points: ACB Summons Sisodia and Jain in Rs 2,000 Crore School Scam

  • ACB investigates massive cost inflation in school classroom construction
  • 34 AAP-linked contractors allegedly involved
  • Complaint filed by BJP representatives
2 min read

ACB issues summons to Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain in case linked to construction of classrooms

AAP ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain face ACB investigation over alleged classroom construction corruption

"The scam is of over Rs 2,000 crore - Shweta Singh Chauhan, DCP ACB"

New Delhi, June 4

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) issued summonses to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain over an alleged corruption of Rs 2,000 crore scam in the construction of classrooms in government schools.

Minister Satyendar Jain has been summoned to the ACB office on June 6, and Manish Sisodia has been asked to appear in the Court on June 9.

This comes after a complaint was filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Harish Khurana, BJP MLA Kapil Mishra and Neelkanth Bakshi of the BJP's Media Relations Department against the AAP ministers, who were accused of inflating costs for constructing semi-permanent classrooms, as per a statement by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) Shweta Singh Chauhan.

According to Chauhan, the probe into the investigation of the case revealed massive cost escalations and violations of procurement rules, with 34 contractors linked to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Speaking to ANI, Chauhan said, "We received a complaint against Manish Sisodia, former Deputy CM, and Satyendar Jain, former PWD Minister... the scam is of over Rs 2,000 crore. The classrooms were semi-permanent structures, and the cost estimate was around Rs 24,00,000 per classroom, which was more than the prevalent market rate back then."

"There was a considerable cost escalation by the time projects were completed. The allegations are that the prevalent market rate by then was Rs five lakhs to complete a classroom structure," she added.

The complaint alleged irregularities in the construction of approximately 12,748 classrooms at a reported expenditure of Rs 2,892 crore. The cost per classroom, as per the awarded tenders, stood at around Rs 24.86 lakh, even though similar structures could be built in Delhi for approximately Rs five lakh, they claimed.

It has also been alleged that the project was handed over to 34 contractors, most of whom were allegedly affiliated with the AAP.

According to ACB chief Madhur Verma, during verification, it was found that the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), in its meetings during the financial year 2015-16, had decided the project should be completed by June 2016 within the sanctioned cost, without any scope for future cost escalations.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the given article:
R
Rahul K.
If the allegations are true, it's shameful to loot money meant for children's education. Delhi government schools showed improvement, but corruption at this scale negates all good work. Hope the investigation is fair and not politically motivated 🤞
P
Priya M.
₹24 lakh per classroom?! That's more than my entire flat cost in Delhi NCR! Either someone made a fortune or this is complete exaggeration. ACB should make all documents public for transparency.
A
Amit S.
Timing seems suspicious - just before elections. But if there's evidence, punish the guilty regardless of party. Our kids deserve better than corrupt politicians playing with their future.
N
Neha T.
As a parent whose child studies in a Delhi govt school, I've seen the infrastructure improvements firsthand. But if money was siphoned off, it explains why some facilities still lack basic maintenance. Very disappointing 😞
S
Sanjay V.
Why only target AAP? All parties do this. BJP should clean their own house first - remember the Gujarat cricket stadium scam? This political vendetta helps no one.
K
Kavita R.
The cost difference is shocking! ₹5 lakh vs ₹24 lakh per classroom? Even with inflation, this makes no sense. Hope the courts take strict action if proven guilty. Our tax money shouldn't fund politicians' luxuries.

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