CSR funds: Pondy CM complains to MHA, seeks probe against Bedi

Though it was not wrong to appeal to the private organisations for funds under the CSR, it was “highly objectionable” that the office of Lt Governor was receiving the funds for the projects without knowledge of the Public Works Department (PWD) Minister, he told reporters here.

“Neither the PWD Minister nor the department Secretary and other officials are aware of assigning of the desilting work without calling for tenders, Narayanaswamy, who has been at loggerheads with the Lt Governor on several issues, alleged. The Chief Minister, who returned from Delhi on Thursday, said he submitted the letter demanding the probe at the office of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh as he could not meet him.

Narayanaswamy has earlier this week sought a judicial probe into the issue but Bedi has dismissed as “wild allegations” the claims and asserted that the Raj Nivas was not involved in any financial transaction. On Friday, he accused two officials in the LG’s office of contacting managements of private colleges and industrial houses seeking CSR funds.

Alleging violation of procedures and skipping of the CSR Committee formed in 2011 under the chairmanship of the CM, he said it gave rise to `genuine suspicion` that there were serious irregularities in mobilising the funds.