Lokayukta Sarin had been hearing the complaint filed by former BJP MLA Vijay Jolly against the government’s purchase of 625 low-floor buses. He had alleged that the Congress government had purchased the low-floor buses “at an inflated price” citing that the Tamil Nadu Government had purchased the same buses for Rs 25 lakh less.

The Lokayukta had sent a notice on 17 November last year to the Dehi government requiring it to produce the records relating to the issuance of tenders for the purchase of 625 non-AC low-floor and CNG buses, including the records documenting the decision-making process. The government failed to do so despite several hearings.

The government counsel informed the Lokayukta that they need not produce records in reply to this complaint, while they would produce the records in case separate suo motu proceedings are taken up by the Lokayukta.

The Delhi Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act 1995 enables the Lokayukta to make suggestions for improvement. The Lokayukta quoting this act had asked the government, “Whether the legitimate requirement and aspirations and interests of sections such as handicapped person can also be met by having a mix of semi-low floor buses and low- floor buses.”

On February 3, the Lokayukta passed an order that mentioned “Non-compliance of the directions for the production of records tantamounts to defiance and non-cooperation by an administration professed to be committed to efficiency and transparency. It does not certainly augur well.”