Will Delhi's Night Shelters Face a CBI Investigation for AAP Government Corruption?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Minister Sood suggests CBI probe into shelters.
- Corruption and negligence under previous AAP government highlighted.
- Exploitative practices against laborers reported.
- Call for accountability from DUSIB and NGOs.
- Investigation aims to restore trust and ensure basic facilities.
New Delhi, June 26 (NationPress) Suggesting a potential CBI investigation, Delhi's Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood announced on Thursday that negligent officials and NGOs will be held accountable for corruption and failures at government-operated night shelters during the previous AAP administration.
After inspecting five night shelters located in the parking area of the Sarai Kale Khan bus terminal in southeast Delhi, Sood stated that he has directed the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to take responsibility for the mismanagement observed at these facilities.
During the inspection, several irregularities were noted, including the absence of attendance registers.
“The vulnerable laborers residing there have been exploited and forced to work by the cleaning staff or management for meager salaries of five to six thousand rupees, while the government is being charged lakhs of rupees for these services,” he asserted. “We will conduct a thorough investigation through the vigilance department, and if necessary, the CBI will be involved,” he added.
The Minister criticized DUSIB and the NGOs responsible for the shelters, emphasizing that such negligence and corruption will not be tolerated.
Sood highlighted, "We have received reports indicating large-scale corruption at these shelter homes. Written complaints suggest that high-ranking AAP officials, including the former Chief Minister, colluded with NGOs to misappropriate funds allocated for facilities serving thousands of individuals.”
He expressed shock at discovering a sick individual being misclassified as a cleaner, forced to work for just Rs 5,000 monthly, a blatant breach of labor laws and evidence of profound corruption.
Complaints of ‘ghost’ employees being assigned by NGOs for the maintenance of these shelters were also raised.
“We were informed that the previous administration had hired hundreds to manage these night shelters. However, we are receiving complaints that there are neither sufficient staff nor adequate basic amenities for residents,” he noted.
Corrupt officials from the AAP government and the NGOs acting on their behalf are perpetrating significant fraud at Delhi's night shelters, according to the complaints received by the current BJP government in the national capital.