Latest news with #VarunChaudhari
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Blame Game Erupts Over Cancelled Mansa Devi Ropeway Tender In Haridwar
Last Updated: Haridwar ropeway tender has drawn criticism from civic leaders and the temple trust after the Uttarakhand High Court flagged safety lapses Haridwar's ropeway controversy has escalated into a full-blown blame game. Following the Uttarakhand High Court's sharp criticism of the Mansa Devi ropeway tender, highlighting procedural lapses and passenger safety risks, the Haridwar Municipal Corporation abruptly scrapped the tender on June 10. Now, Mayor Kiran Jaisal, local councillors, the temple trust, and Congress leaders are lambasting the government, accusing it of gambling with the safety of lakhs of pilgrims. High Court Halts Tender The High Court took strong exception to the tender's expanded eligibility criteria, which included firms from highways, hospitals, telecom, and metro sectors—industries that lack ropeway expertise. The court flagged serious safety concerns and a lack of transparency in the process, describing it as 'tampering with human life" Under pressure, the corporation withdrew the tender just before a final ruling. Mayor Kiran Jaisal came forward with serious allegations about former municipal commissioner Varun Chaudhari, now suspended in a separate land acquisition case. She accused him of unilaterally diluting eligibility norms after her takeover on February 7, without consulting the Municipal Board. 'Only when the submission deadline was extended was I informed," she said. Her attack directly implicates Chaudhari in manipulating tender terms. Councillor Amplifies Outrage The Shri Mansa Devi Temple Trust, led by Mahant Ravindra Puri, joined the clamour. In a letter to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Puri demanded that only ropeway specialists—like incumbent Usha Breco Ltd, which has safely run the system since 1981—be allowed in the bidding. He warned the expanded tender could imperil thousands of devotees visiting the temple. Official Response: Fresh Tender On Horizon Municipal Commissioner Nandan Kumar affirmed that the tender floated pre his February 20 appointment was under review. He pledged a fresh tender with reinstated eligibility—at least five years of ropeway-specific experience—and confirmed the corporation had acted on the June 3 committee's recommendations. Safety Vs Speed: Experts Weigh In Legal observers and ropeway experts have stressed that ropeway operations demand specialised technical know-how—unlike standard infrastructure projects. The court's intervention and committee review highlight the risks of allowing construction firms without this expertise to compete. What Happens Next? Fresh tender: The corporation has paused the current Expression of Interest (EOI)/tender and is preparing a new one with clearer ropeway experience clauses. Political heat: With multiple stakeholders, from local governance to temple authorities and opposition figures, now demanding accountability, the government faces mounting pressure to follow through on safety-first procurement. Final Take What began as a routine tender has spiralled into a fierce confrontation, revealing cracks in governance and oversight. Mayoral and council-level outrage, temple trust alarm, and judicial censure have converged in a rare moment of unified demand: that public safety—not bureaucratic shortcuts or backdoor deals—must guide infrastructure decisions. With a rewritten tender underway, all eyes are now on whether Haridwar can deliver a safe, transparent process befitting one of India's most sacred pilgrim hubs.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Haridwar land scam: Spl audit of ex-municipal commissioner's tenure to begin on June 24
Haridwar: The state audit directorate will begin a special audit of the entire tenure of former Haridwar Nagar Nigam municipal commissioner Varun Chaudhari from June 24. Chaudhari was suspended over the Sarai village land scam. The audit team, which has already been allotted office space at the Nagar Nigam office, is expected to complete its work within 15 days, sources said. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami , taking serious note of the irregularities in the land purchase, had ordered a comprehensive audit of Chaudhari's 16-month tenure from Nov 25, 2023, to March 20, 2025. Acting on the CM's directive, deputy secretary (finance) Himanshu Khurana instructed the audit directorate to proceed with the investigation. A total of 33 bigha of land was purchased at an inflated price of ₹54 crore. The case has already led to action against 12 govt officials, including two IAS officers and one PCS officer. The audit will cover not only the land deal but also probe wider financial irregularities and budgetary expenditures of the Nagar Nigam during Chaudhari's tenure. The team will scrutinise spending on various projects, including ₹70 lakh on Deepotsav celebrations during state foundation day, ₹3 crore on the purchase of laptops, ₹1.67 crore on establishing a data centre, and ₹4 crore on electrical items. It will also investigate the renting of a dispensary building at ₹8,000 per month, far below its market rate of ₹50,000. The audit team includes deputy director Vijai Pratap Singh, assistant director Rajat Mehra, and accounts audit officer Kishan Singh Bisht. Reacting to the development, Haridwar mayor Kiran Jaisal said, "I hope that all irregularities will be brought to light and appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty." Haridwar: The state audit directorate will begin a special audit of the entire tenure of former Haridwar Nagar Nigam municipal commissioner Varun Chaudhari from June 24. Chaudhari was suspended over the Sarai village land scam. The audit team, which has already been allotted office space at the Nagar Nigam office, is expected to complete its work within 15 days, sources said. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, taking serious note of the irregularities in the land purchase, had ordered a comprehensive audit of Chaudhari's 16-month tenure from Nov 25, 2023, to March 20, 2025. Acting on the CM's directive, deputy secretary (finance) Himanshu Khurana instructed the audit directorate to proceed with the investigation. A total of 33 bigha of land was purchased at an inflated price of ₹54 crore. The case has already led to action against 12 govt officials, including two IAS officers and one PCS officer. The audit will cover not only the land deal but also probe wider financial irregularities and budgetary expenditures of the Nagar Nigam during Chaudhari's tenure. The team will scrutinise spending on various projects, including ₹70 lakh on Deepotsav celebrations during state foundation day, ₹3 crore on the purchase of laptops, ₹1.67 crore on establishing a data centre, and ₹4 crore on electrical items. It will also investigate the renting of a dispensary building at ₹8,000 per month, far below its market rate of ₹50,000. The audit team includes deputy director Vijai Pratap Singh, assistant director Rajat Mehra, and accounts audit officer Kishan Singh Bisht. Reacting to the development, Haridwar mayor Kiran Jaisal said, "I hope that all irregularities will be brought to light and appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty."
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
3 senior officials, including Haridwar DM, suspended in Nagar Nigam land scam
The Uttarakhand government has suspended three senior officials, including former MNA Varun Chaudhari, DM Karmendra Singh, and SDM Ajai Veer Singh, for their involvement in a land scam within the Haridwar Nagar Nigam. HARIDWAR: The state govt, in a clear message that it practices the policy of zero tolerance towards corruption, has suspended three of its senior officials found involved in the Haridwar Nagar Nigam land scam. These include Haridwar Nagar Nigam's former MNA Varun Chaudhari, DM Karmendra Singh, and SDM Ajai Veer Singh. It may be recalled that CM Pushkar Singh Dhami , while ordering an intensive inquiry into the scam, said that "stringent action will be taken against officials or employees found guilty." He directed Secretary Peya Jal Ran Vir Singh Chauhan to conduct a detailed and impartial inquiry into the matter and submit an early report. The report was submitted to the govt a couple of days ago. The inquiry was ordered following a complaint of corruption received from Haridwar Mayor Kiran Jaissal against Chaudhari in the purchase of 35 bighas of land adjoining the dumping ground near Sarai village for Rs.53 crore. The complaint stated that the actual price of the land was much less than the price paid at the circle rate.
