Stern action against those found guilty of corruption: Shiela Dikshit

Amid allegations of corruption in several Commonwealth Games projects, chief minister Sheila Dikshit categorically said that "stern action" will follow against those found involved in any irregularities.

Warning against any wrongdoing, Dikshit, however, said the fortnight-long event from October 3 to 14 will be the finest in the history of the Games despite the controversies surrounding it.

"Lot of criticism have been there with regard to CWG preparation. If there is corruption we will find out who is responsible and take stern action against them whoever they are -- central government or Delhi government officials or any others...," Dikshit said after unfurling the tricolour during Independence Day celebrations here.

Under attack for piles of construction rubble still strewn across the city, Dikshit also apologised to citizens for the "inconvenience" on account of large amount of construction wastes lying in and around various project sites as well as roads.

"For the last three to four months, Delhiites had suffered due to the construction works undergoing in the city. I apologise to the citizens for this. But if we have to achieve something, then we have to sacrifice..," she said.

Dikshit urged the people of Delhi to extent all the cooperation to make the mega event a grand success. 

"The event will be finest in the history of the Games. We have to prove that we are not behind anyone. For this the citizens and the government have to work together," she said. 

Last month CVC had reported large-scale procedural violations, including corruption in 16 different projects being carried out by various government departments. 

Six of them are being implemented by city government's PWD, three by MCD, two each by CPWD, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), NDMC and one by RITES, government enterprise.

Dikshit's comments came a day after prime minister Manmohan Singh directed that thorough probe should be held by ministries concerned into complaints of "procedural and other irregularities" and "those found guilty should face severe and exemplary punishment".

The Opposition BJP had also come down hard on Dikshit alleging corruption as well as diversion of funds meant for welfare of Scheduled Castes to the Games projects. 

Noting that the city is all set to host an international sport event after a gap of 28 years (after 1982 Asian Games), she appealed to the citizens to extend a warm welcome to the tourists visiting the city in October.

"We will have a large number of foreign tourists and sportpersons in the city during October. We have already given a face lift to the city to give a pleasing atmosphere to the visitors, we must be ready to give them a warm welcome with our civic sense."

Dikshit has been under attack from various quarters for the delay in completion of key projects worth over Rs 10,000 crore. She had last month set August 31 as deadline for completing all the projects linked to the event. 

Various key Games projects, including the Barapullah Nallah elevated road, UP Link road and projects related to street-scarping works, have missed several deadlines and now questions are being raised whether they will be completed before the final deadline of August 31, set by Dikshit.