"Investigation through independent agency in respect of alleged scam of RTO check Posts after CAG's Report" : Gujarat High Court

In a recent development, as per DNS news report, Gujarat State government has finally cancelled some controversial contract, awarded to a private firm, namely, Chasmita Engineers Pvt Ltd, for maintenance of weigh bridges and the automated vehicle tax collection system installed at all the 11 RTO check posts of Gujarat State, ultimately over a alleged scam of Rs. 693 crore, detected at all 11 RTO check posts in the state.The irregularities were reported by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in the year 2006, but the same was said pending for consideration before the Public Accounts Committee of the State, as per a recent submission made by the advocate general, before the Hon. Gujarat High Court. The cancellation of contract is said to be the result of a PIL filed in the Gujarat high court earlier this year, by Mr. Vipulkumar Ramjibhai Patel vide Public Interest Litigation WRIT PETITION (PIL)/3/2011, wherein the Hon. Gujarat High court has allowed Comptroller and Auditor General of India to audit for the further period from 2006 to 31st March 2011 and submit report before the State Government, who has assured to investigate with regard to the earlier report submitted by Comptroller and Auditor General about the aforesaid irregularities at all 11 RTO check post in Gujarat. The Division Bench of HON. THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. S.J. MUKHOPADHAYA and HON. MR.JUSTICE J.B.PARDIWALA of Gujarat High Court, has recently also observed after hearing both the parties to this PIL, that the question of investigation through an independent agency will be considered on the next date of hearing, depending upon the report as may be submitted by Comptroller and Auditor General. The petitioner had pointed out in this PIL that though the contract had ended in September 2006, the aforesaid company was allowed to continue operations.