New Delhi, April 07: Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday stirred another controversy as she took on the Comptroller and Auditor General ( CAG) over its criticism of her government over the purchase of low- floor buses.
The Opposition lashed out at Dikshit for her comment advising the country’s top auditor to desist from “ nitpicking” as she defended her government’s decision.
The CAG had last week pointed out that the state government could have exercised better financial prudence and management to save crores of rupees while purchasing the buses.
At a panel discussion organised by the CAG on Tuesday, Dikshit said the auditor should have a holistic view as nitpicking only discourages policymakers, especially bureaucrats, in taking decisions.
“ They are always scared that the CAG will ask why this was done and why so much money was spent… Without trust, nothing can be done.” she said.
Reacting to her comment, CAG Vinod Rai said Dikshit should desist from fingerpointing.
“… we would not have brought this in our audit report if it were this statistically simple,” Rai said.
The BJP slammed Dikshit for being evasive and critical of the auditor’s adverse report.
Leader of the Opposition V. K. Malhotra said: “ It’s typical of the CM to snub everyone who points out her mistakes. What lessons can we expect her government to learn from the findings when the leader is in a denial mode?” On the CAG’s observations that her government procured the low- floor buses at a higher cost, Dikshit said the buses plying on Delhi’s roads are much cheaper than those procured in Pune ( Maharashtra), Vijayawada ( Andhra Pradesh) and Uttar Pradesh.
Dikshit said the government paid Rs 49.99 lakh for each non- AC low- floor bus while Vijaywada and UP paid Rs 50.74 lakh and 51.5 lakh respectively.
Each AC low- floor bus was purchased for Rs 59.3 lakh in Delhi while Pune paid Rs 67 lakh, the chief minister said.
–Agencies