CNG fitness scam: Delhi Assembly constituted committee invites representations

New Delhi: The Special Inquiry Committee constituted by the Delhi Assembly to probe alleged financial irregularities in awarding contract to ESP India Pvt. Ltd has invited representations on the CNG fitness scam. The committee, soliciting information in connection with the Rs. 100 crore CNG fitness scam, has issued an advertisement which reads, "Those desirous of submitting written or/and oral information on the subject before the Committee may send their representations (in English or Hindi) to the Deputy Secretary, Room No. 128, Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, Old Secretariat, Delhi 11054' by post or through email to: sic.delhiassembly@gmail.com." The scam took place in connection with the transport department outsourcing fitness tests of commercial vehicles. The Delhi Government allegedly lost crores in the scam for awarding the contract of operation and maintenance work of inspection and certification lanes at the Burari authority to a company called ESP India Private Limited. However, it is alleged that the company did not conduct certain tests which were required, but charged money for them. Moreover, eight additional test lanes worth around seven crores were allotted to the same company. The contract was also allegedly awarded without any tendering. The case came to light after an RTI activist reported the matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in June 2012. An FIR was registered in this regard in December 2012 after the ACB found irregularities in its inquiry report conducted as per the court orders.