Bhopal, Apr 11: The Lokayukta registered a case under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act against the PWD Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) Mayor Uma Shashi Sharma and others in connection with an advertisement scam worth crores.
However, the authorities concerned remained unavailable for their comment. Dilip Kaushal filed an affidavit with the Lokayukta alleging the PWD Minister and others for causing loss to the IMC to the tune of crores by awarding tenders to construct bus stops and gantries to two companies on BOT basis without realizing advertisement fees. The IMC reportedly awarded contracts to construct 200 bus stops and more than 100 gantries to Rajdeep Infrastructure and M/s Ad King on BOT basis. As per the terms and conditions of the contracts, the companies agreed to pay the rent to the tune of Rs 1.25 crore for 15 years. However, the bus stops and gantries were later leased out for advertisement generating income in crores.
The complainant alleged that the IMC authorities in collusion with political bigwigs rented out the bus stops and gantries on meager sum with out levying advertisement fees that can fetch income worth Rs 2 crore annually. A preliminary enquiry (PE) was registered in this regard about a year ago. The Lokayukta after investigating the case eventually registered a case under various sections of the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act against Kailash Vijayvargiya, IMC Mayor Uma Shashi Sharma, IMC Revenue Committee Chairman Shankar Yadav, PWD Chairman Lalit Porwal, former IMC Commissioner Vinod Sharma and M/s Ad King.
Remarkably, a part of work was awarded during the tenure of Kailash Vijayvargiya in 2004 while another part of the contract was awarded during the tenure of incumbent Mayor Uma Shashi Sharma. The complainant Dilip Kaushal during a telephonic conversation confirmed that the Lokayukta had registered a case against the PWD Minister and others for causing loss to the IMC.