‘Rs 85 lakh spent, fresh tender of Rs 34 lakh floated’
Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 15: Bizarre it may sound but is a bitter truth that renovation and repair work of J&K’s oldest cremation ground is still incomplete despite spending of about Rs 85 lakh and till date about 26 months have lapsed while the authorities concerned have now floated a fresh tender of Rs 34 lakh for the project.
If sources are to be believed, Jogi Gate cremation ground has suffered an unprecedented apathy due to the alleged corrupt practice in the engineering wing of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) in sanctioning of repair and renovation work of the place for performing last rites of Hindus and Sikhs.
Prudence and logic adopted by the JMC, which is at the helm of affairs, has raised eyebrows as it allotted the work to the bidder claiming work completion at an expenditure of Rs. 81 lakh and the one with Rs 62 lakh bid was ignored.
Sources informed that renovation work was sanctioned on December 13, 2018 to Bismillah Constructions Ltd which started work very next day on December 14, 2018 but soon the contractor whose bid of Rs 62 lakh was rejected secured a court stay on the work.
“Still Bismillah Constructions Ltd continued the work and erected a wall over which it faced contempt notice by the court and the work was stopped,” they further informed.
While Bismillah Constructions was to construct bases for 14 pyres along with other works and was allotted 81.86 lakh for the entire project, same was expected from the other contractor who took over the project with Rs 62 lakh bid after the intervention of the court.
“Though Rs 23 lakh were paid to Bismillah Constructions for the work it did, the remaining work of construction of bases for 14 pyres (Kunds), tile work (with NTC Chandigarh brand tiles) on floor, construction of platforms, ramp, fixing seats for visitors, electrification works including fitting fans, lights etc was allotted to the other party,” sources informed.
Surprisingly, now, the other party claims that their work was only to clear the debris and erect sheds at the cremation ground and, this prompted JMC to work for fresh demand of funds for the remaining works.
Shockingly, more than two years have passed and the cremation ground is yet to see the much awaited facelift while certain insiders have claimed that the engineering wing of JMC is deeply involved in corrupt practices as there was no logic in sanctioning work to a party for over Rs 81 lakh ignoring the one with Rs 62 lakh and above all despite sanctioning the hefty amount, the work is still incomplete.
JMC Commissioner, Avni Lavasa when contacted said that she will look into the matter and only then she can say anything about the completion of the renovation work of the cremation ground.
On allotting work to a higher bidder ignoring the competitive bid, she said that there should be some concrete reason behind that which she will check before making any comment.
However, the Commissioner said that she will contact again with details but later she ignored the telephone call.
As JMC is tight-lipped over the issue, pain of the grief stricken people visiting the cremation ground has increased manifolds due to the dilapidated and dirty Jogi Gate cremation ground premises for which apathy of JMC and others concerned is responsible.
The sorry state of affairs at the cremation ground situated at the bank of river Tawi starts from its entrance itself where an open deep drain spreads foul smell disturbing the bereaved visitors who come to the place to cremate bodies of their dear ones.
Also the big piece of land beyond the grills near the entrance has wild growth covering some ornamental plants which shows that the place was a park some years back, but, lack of caretaking has converted it into a place where even the presence of venomous snakes etc can’t be ruled out.
As the pall bearers move ahead they have to take extra care in taking next step as they may fall or stumble while crossing an open drain awaiting a cover over it for the last many months though someone has placed pieces of plank over it.
Still this stretch is very risky especially for the elders who mostly suffer from vision defects and can’t see things properly and are very much prone to get stumbled while crossing this open drain.
Beyond this starts the waiting shed area having broken floor awaiting tile work for the last over two years.
Similar is the story of the old cremation place where bases of pyres are left broken.
Anyhow, the cremation ground management has erected new sheds and made a few new bases for pyres so that last rites don’t suffer but insiders informed that when more bodies are brought for cremation they have to use the old place which is still incomplete.
Near the waiting shed is a ditch which gives rise to water-logging in rainy days making it difficult for the visitors to move through it.
“If the authorities concerned especially the government are not good at work at this place what else can be expected of them,” Sanjay Kumar, 43, a driver by profession, who came at the cremation ground to offer wood to a friend, said.
Sources informed that Sewa Samiti-organisation managing the cremation ground can be reframed soon as its present team is not performing well.
When contacted, Mayor JMC, Chander Mohan Gupta avoided comments on the allegation of corrupt practice in JMC but informed that a fresh tender of Rs. 34 lakh has been floated now for the pending work at the cremation ground and this work will start within days and complete renovation of the place shall be done by April this year.
He also informed that for cleanliness and sanitization of the place, he has fixed responsibility of two JMC Councillors Gopal Gupta and Dinesh Gupta while he (Mayor) himself will personally check the cleanliness regularly.
“Now new Executive Engineer R.K Gupta has taken over in the engineering wing of the JMC and he has assured to focus on the renovation project of the cremation ground for which money is no constraint,” the Mayor maintained.
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