ACB, EOW to probe into Skywalk construction
   Date :27-Dec-2022

ACB, EOW 
 
 
Staff Reporter
RAIPUR,
 
The State Government has decided to hand over the matter of construction of Raipur Skywalk for investigation to Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Economic Offence Wing (EOW) after prima facie indicated irregularities in construction of the Skywalk, informed a press communique issued by Department of Public Relations, Government of Chhattisgarh on Monday.
Talking to mediapersons at state Congress party office Rajiv Bhawan in the State Capital, State Congress Spokesman R P Singh that the estimate for the Skywalk project worth Rs 77 crore was deliberately prepared twice by the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government so that there would be no need for approval from the Project Formulation and Implementation Committee (PFIC). A detailed inspection is conducted through the PFIC about the public utility of any project. However, it wasn’t done in the case of Skywalk construction, he claimed.
During the issue of the notification of Vidhansabha elections 2018, a review proposal was sent by the Public Works Department on December 5, 2018 to the Finance Department, which is a direct violation of the Code of Conduct. It is clear that this was done to provide unfair profits to the officers in the department and contractors.
The first tender for the skywalk construction was published on February 4, 2017 by the Public Works Department and only 15 days were allotted to submit the tender. No administrative approval in the case was obtained from the Finance Department till February 4. No requirement or justification was given for such a short tender validity period of 15 days, and no proper approval was obtained as well.
R P Singh expressed gratitude towards Chief Minister Bhupesh for handing over the matter to the EOW and the ACB for investigation.
Asked about the State Government handing over the matter of Skywalk for investigation to the ACB and the EOW, Baghel said that the culprits whoever it may be will not be spared in the matter. Replying to another query over former PWD Minister and senior BJP leader Rajesh Munat’s statement that ‘the State Government is making skywalk an undue political issue’, Baghel said, “Rajesh Munat used to advice me to cooperate with the Enforcement Directorate in money laundering case. Now, the investigation in the irregularities committed in the construction of the Skywalk is being handed over to the ACB and the EOW and Rajesh Munat should cooperate in the case. ‘Par Updesh Kushal Bahutere’ (It is easier to preach than really act).