President Approves Probe into AAP’s Rs. 1,300 Crore Classroom Scam

Scam Overview
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), known for its promise of clean governance, is embroiled in a multi-crore classroom construction scandal. Former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and ex-PWD Minister Satyendra Jain are under investigation for inflated costs, bypassed tenders, and fund misuse.

Key Allegations
Inflated Costs: Each classroom was built at ₹50 lakh—much higher than market rates.
Fewer Classrooms: Only 2,400 of the planned 7,180 classrooms were constructed.
No Tenders: Contracts awarded without competitive bidding, violating rules.
Poor Quality: Classrooms built with substandard materials.
Cost Deviations: Project costs increased by 90% without justification.

Leaders Implicated
Manish Sisodia & Satyendra Jain: Directly involved in decision-making and cost approvals.
Arvind Kejriwal? His role under scrutiny, as key approvals needed his consent.

Timeline of Events
2015-2019: Classroom construction begins; tenders bypassed, costs inflated.
2019-2022: Complaints filed; CAG audit confirms irregularities.
2024: President Murmu approves a detailed probe.

Political Fallout
AAP’s Anti-Corruption Image Tarnished
BJP Demands Arrests of Sisodia, Jain, and possibly Kejriwal.
Legal Action Imminent: Arrests, disqualifications, and prison sentences possible.

What’s Next?
ACB to investigate further → Possible arrests.
Major impact on 2024 elections.
Lesson: Transparency and accountability in public projects are crucial!

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which came to power in Delhi on the promise of transparency and good governance, now finds itself embroiled in yet another corruption scandal. This time, the allegations revolve around the classroom scam, a multi-crore corruption case involving irregularities in the construction of classrooms in Delhi government schools. The scandal has put prominent AAP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and former PWD Minister Satyendra Jain, under the scanner, with investigations revealing a web of inflated costs, bypassed tendering processes, and misused funds. The case has now reached the highest levels, with President Draupadi Murmu approving a detailed investigation, raising the possibility of arrests and further political fallout for the party.

Background of the Scam

The classroom scam dates back to the period between 2015 and 2019, when Manish Sisodia served as Delhi’s Education Minister and Satyendra Jain as the Minister of Public Works Department (PWD). During this time, the Delhi government launched an ambitious project to construct and renovate classrooms in government schools as part of its much-publicized “Education Revolution.” However, what was touted as a transformative initiative has now been exposed as a potential Rs. 1,300 crore scam, with investigations revealing widespread corruption and financial irregularities.

Key Allegations

Inflated Costs and Misuse of Funds:

1. The most glaring allegation is the inflated cost of constructing classrooms. Investigations revealed that each classroom was constructed at an exorbitant cost of Rs. 50 lakh, far higher than the market rate. For context, the cost of renovating a five-star hotel room is approximately Rs. 5,000-5,500 per square foot, while the Delhi government spent Rs. 8,800 per square foot on classrooms.
   1. The project initially aimed to construct 7,180 classrooms at a total cost of Rs. 3,500 crore. However, only 2,400 classrooms were built, with the remaining funds allegedly siphoned off.

Bypassing Tender Processes:

• The project was awarded without following proper tendering processes, violating PWD rules. Contracts were allegedly given to favored contractors without competitive bidding, leading to a lack of transparency and accountability.
  • In some cases, work was awarded through assisting contracts from other schools, bypassing the need for fresh tenders.

Substandard Quality of Work:

• Despite the inflated costs, the quality of construction was reportedly poor. Investigations found that many classrooms were incomplete, and the materials used were substandard. In some cases, toilets and guardrooms were counted as classrooms to meet targets.

Cost Deviations and Unjustified Expenditure:

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) found that the project costs were increased by 90% without proper justification. For example, the tender cost for renovating 24 rooms was Rs. 1.4 crore, but the final cost ballooned to Rs. 2.88 crore.
  • A total of 63 tenders worth Rs. 860 crore were awarded, with cost deviations amounting to Rs. 326 crore.

Role of AAP Leaders:

• Investigations revealed that Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain were directly involved in the decision-making process. Seven meetings were held between 2015 and 2019, where decisions were made to increase project costs and bypass rules. Sisodia, as the Education Minister, and Jain, as the PWD Minister, allegedly approved these decisions without proper justification.
  • The involvement of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also under scrutiny, as his approval would have been required for such significant financial and administrative decisions.

Timeline of Events

1. 2015-2019: The Delhi government launches the classroom construction project under the “Education Revolution” initiative. Contracts are awarded without proper tenders, and costs are inflated.
2. 2019: BJP leader Harish Khurana files a complaint alleging irregularities in the project. The matter is referred to the Chief Secretary, who forwards it to the Lieutenant Governor (LG).
3. 2020: The LG directs the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate the allegations. The ACB submits its report, highlighting cost deviations, bypassed tenders, and substandard work.
4. 2022: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) conducts an audit of the project and confirms the irregularities. The report is sent to the Home Ministry and the President for further action.
5. October 2024: President Draupadi Murmu approves a detailed investigation into the scam. The ACB is tasked with probing the roles of Sisodia, Jain, and other officials.

Political Implications

The classroom scam is a significant blow to AAP’s image as a party committed to clean governance. The involvement of top leaders like Sisodia and Jain, who are already facing charges in other cases (such as the liquor scam), has further tarnished the party’s reputation. The scandal also raises questions about the role of Arvind Kejriwal, who has positioned himself as a crusader against corruption.

The BJP has seized on the issue, accusing AAP of looting public funds meant for education. The party has demanded the immediate arrest of Sisodia, Jain, and Kejriwal, calling the scam an “open and shut case.”

What’s Next?

With the President’s approval, the ACB is expected to conduct a thorough investigation, which could lead to the arrest of key AAP leaders. The case is likely to have far-reaching political consequences, especially with the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on the horizon. If proven guilty, the leaders could face serious legal consequences, including imprisonment and disqualification from holding public office.

The classroom scam is a stark reminder of how lofty promises of reform can be derailed by corruption and mismanagement. For AAP, which built its brand on the promise of transparency, the scandal is a major setback. As investigations proceed, the party will need to address these allegations head-on to regain the trust of the public. Meanwhile, the case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of accountability and oversight in public projects.