The Delhi government has cancelled its Rs 6.2 crore plan to procure two boars for VIPs and VVIPS and suspended two officials involved in the process.
Minister Pravesh Verma told the Hindustan Times that the government has launched an investigation into the plant and the circumstances under which it was issued.
“We have cancelled the tender for the boats, and we are investigating the issue. The executive engineer and assistant engineer concerned have also been suspended for issuing the tenders without prior information,” Verma said.
He said that directions were also issued to ensure that any future procurement of boats is limited to the department's essential functions, such as surveillance, pollution monitoring and other operational requirements, the report said.
The plant, according to the HT report, included the procurement of two VIP/VVIP boats designed to carry around 16-20 passengers. The vessels were to be quipped with premium features, including rooftop cassette-style marine air conditioners, customised business-class push-back seats made of vegan leather with exquisite stitching, and a dedicated food service pantry
Each vessel was also to contain an open rear deck with three to four seater sofas for VIP public appearances, with sofa-style seating for three to four persons
It was to be designed with a premium aesthetic look with concealed LED and ambient lighting.
The moves to cancel the plan came after a report published on March 18, the I&FC minister’s office had said that future boat purchases, if any, will strictly serve essential departmental functions
The two officials were suspended for issuing the tenders with prior informations
The opposition quickly criticised the plan, labelling the project a misuse of public funds and a reflection of misplaced priorities.
The controversy also comes when the Yamuna River remains a key priority for the BJP-led Delhi government. Much of the river's pollution originates from a 48-kilometre stretch from Palla to Badarpur, along with a 26-kilometre segment from Wazirabad to Asgarpur, despite the lengths being less than 2 per cent of the river’s total length.
