Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 23: Advocate Appu Singh, the State Spokesperson for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a member of the State Media Coordination Committee, today made serious allegations in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya Scheme) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference here today, Appu Singh claimed that the scheme, intended to provide universal household electrification, has instead turned into a “Durbhagya Scheme” for the region, with accusations of a massive misappropriation of public funds amounting to Rs 500 crores.
She pointed out that complaints were lodged with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Governor’s office regarding the scheme’s execution. “These complaints, which were aimed at officials of the Jammu & Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JKPDCL), primarily focused on accusations of double drawal and financial misappropriation,” she said.
“Despite an investigation by the ACB, which led to the registration of FIR No. 4/2020 at P/S ACB Jammu, the Bureau eventually submitted a closure report, exonerating the public servants involved and recommending only departmental action for minor violations. However, on August 13, 2024, Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Tahir Khurshid Raina, rejected this closure report, criticizing the investigation as insufficient and directing the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT),” she added.
Appu Singh further underscored the discrepancies in the scheme’s budget, noting that while the Saubhagya Scheme was initially estimated to cost Rs 1,750 crores, the actual amount reported on the Saubhagya Portal was Rs 1,080.25 crores. She alleged that the scheme’s implementation was marred by criminal conspiracy, false evidence, incorrect billing, and gross mismanagement, with excess materials left unused across several districts, including Doda, Kishtawar, and Jammu.
The AAP spokesperson also questioned the credibility of the 1st Prize awarded to JKPDCL under the special category for achieving 100 percent household electrification, asserting that the claim of complete electrification was far from accurate.
AAP leaders, including Agya Kaur, Gulzar Choudhary and M P Singh were also present in the press conference.
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