Punjab Governor Gen S F Rodrigues (retd), who is also the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, on Thursday denied any wrongdoing in the allotment of two mega projects by the Chandigarh Administration into which the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has ordered an inquiry.

Speaking to The Indian Express over phone from Chandigarh, Rodrigues also denied reports that he had been summoned by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for an explanation. “There was no corruption in any land acquisition or allotment. Neither the CVC report nor the earlier report of the Union Home Ministry says this. I am ready for any inquiry,” he said.

A few days ago, the CVC had asked the CBI to conduct a detailed investigation into the allotment of land to two companies for the ambitious Film City and Amusement-cum-Theme Park projects after a probe by the CVC concluded that rules had been violated in awarding the two projects to private players. However, two days ago, the Governor is learnt to have written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, explaining everything and also expressing reservation over the harassment of senior UT officers in the name of inquiry.

“Whatever we did was completely transparent. What I have tried to do in Chandigarh in the last five years is to create a more equitable society by pushing for public partnership, making Administration more people-friendly. In doing so, I may have angered the old guard, who were managing everything sitting in their huge houses. But, let me say that there is no question of any wrongdoing in any project. We followed all norms while awarding the projects. I as well as the entire Administration am open to any inquiry,” Rodrigues said.

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