New Delhi, October 11: The Congress party has accused the government of exerting pressure on Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) officers who uncovered “corruption” in various schemes and is demanding the immediate revocation of their transfer orders. Citing a media report on the officers’ transfers, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh has alleged that it’s the typical strategy of the Modi government to intimidate and remove individuals who expose them.
Ramesh emphasized, “We insist that these transfer orders be rescinded promptly, and the officers should return to their positions at the CAG. Action must also be taken on the alleged significant irregularities related to the Dwarka Expressway, Bharatmala, and Ayushman Bharat schemes.”
The Congress leader further accused the Modi government of operating in a manner reminiscent of a mafia, using silence and intimidation to protect its interests. According to Ramesh, anyone who exposes the government’s corruption modus operandi is either threatened or removed from their position. The most recent targets are three CAG officers who uncovered what Ramesh described as “massive scams” in government schemes, as outlined in a report presented during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. This CAG report revealed irregularities in infrastructure and social schemes, including a 1400 percent cost increase and tendering irregularities in the Dwarka Expressway, along with an alleged diversion of Rs 3,600 crore from highway projects. Ramesh also asserted that the Bharatmala scheme saw 60 percent cost inflation due to faulty bidding practices.
Additionally, Ramesh claimed that the audit of the Ayushman Bharat scheme revealed numerous claims filed on behalf of deceased patients, with at least 7.5 lakh beneficiaries linked to a single mobile number.
The Congress leader has criticized the transfer of the three CAG officers responsible for reporting on the Ayushman Bharat and Dwarka Expressway discrepancies, stating that these transfers are aimed at concealing the alleged corruption within the Modi government, despite the fact that the CAG is supposed to be an independent body.
