Delhi integrated multi-modal transit system not OK with internal audit by CAG

NEW DELHI: Days after the Delhi government ordered a CAG audit of DIMTS ( Delhi integrated multi-modal transit system), the agency head, Sanjiv Sahai, clarified, "We welcome an audit of the projects that have been awarded to us by the Delhi government. However, an audit of our internal accounts is not possible, as DIMTS is a private company."

Sahai claimed that an annual audit of the firm's accounts is submitted to the government every year. "Since the Delhi government is a stakeholder, the annual audit report is submitted to the principal secretary (finance) of the Delhi government annually. That is available with the government for perusal," said Sahai.

He however, ruled out a CAG audit of the internal accounts of DIMTS. "It is a private company and internal finances cannot be audited by CAG, like in a government organization," claimed Sahai.

According to him, the letter from the Delhi government ordering the CAG audit hasn't been received by DIMTS yet. "Once we get the letter, we will look into the legal options," added Sahai. According to the DIMTS chief, the agency had "no objections" to a CAG audit of projects undertaken by it. "It's the taxpayers' money and we would welcome a physical audit of projects and funds spent," he added.

Sahai further refuted all findings of previous CAG audits of the transport department which had come down hard on the role of DIMTS and its relation with the department.