Commonwealth Games contractors accused of graft

India's Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has accused companies working on contractors linked to this year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi of inflating prices and poor quality work. The accusations came following inspection of 15 projects linked to the games, including venues and supporting infrastructure.

A statement from the CVC said, "Almost all organisations executing works for the Commonwealth Games have considered inadmissible factors to jack-up the price and justify the award of work at quoted rates citing urgent/emergency circumstances."

The statement also said that contractors were charging for items that were incorporated into the work, but which were not part of the original tenders. It also cited an example where components were being charged for at three times the agreed rate.

The CVC said it had also found examples of poor quality work, where test records had been fabricated. It cited several examples of weaker than specified concrete, lack of anti-corrosion measures and the use of low quality concrete mixes. As well as criticising contractors, the CVC also blamed several unnamed third party inspection agencies that were meant to verify work.

Although the CVC does not have any power to take action as a result of its findings, it has forwarded then to the various organisations and agencies that awarded the work, with the advice to take action and adhere to CVC guidelines on procurement. According to the CVC, there are more than 70 government agencies and organisations involved in work relating to the Commonwealth Games.