“It is on record that Jaidka made allotment of works in favour of M/s R.S. Construction Company on the basis of reduced quantities without considering the effect of other tenders at reduced quantities,” Capt Singh observed in the report. “Gurdev Singh, without applying his mind, acted in haste in connivance with Jaidka and is equally responsible for this act.”

“When the tenders were opened with changed specifications, the charged officers with their full wisdom and knowledge of the facts, while preparing comparative statement, projected M/s R S Construction Company with lowest rates (and) showed them 3.94 per cent higher than the DNIT amount, whereas M/s A C E Builders happened to be the lowest bidders with their rates 3.90 per cent higher that DNIT rates,” the inquiry officer ruled.

“By making illegal recommendations and allotting work with a mala fide intention, the charged officers caused a huge loss of over Rs 46 lakh to PUDA,” Capt Singh said in the report, while establishing that “M/s R S Construction Company was neither a shortlisted firm nor (the) lowest bidder, despite which it was awarded the work”.

Confirming that he has received the inquiry report, PUDA Chief Administrator A K Sinha said, “The copies of the report have been served to indicted officers for filing their replies, if any, after which, further action will be decided.”

Same company involved in similar case
M/s R S Construction Company was earlier found involved in another case in which it was awarded the contract to build the boundary and retaining walls of the stadium for a whopping Rs 7.32 crore. The company’s name had surfaced after a preliminary inquiry had indicted PUDA officials of disregarding all norms and established procedures to award tender, which were found manipulated, to the company. The then PUDA Chief Administrator Sanjay Kumar had ordered the inquiry in 2004 after taking cognisance of media reports on the irregularities. However, no action has been taken in the case so far.