Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Expressing grave concern over the brazen violations of codal formalities in the execution of works by Public Works Deptt, JKNPP chairman and former MLA Harshdev Singh has urged the coalition Government to activate and strengthen its surveillance mechanism so as to prevent the loot and plunder of public funds envisaged for creation of physical infrastructure in the State.
He regretted that construction and renovation works were being executed departmentally by the R&B and PHE Deptts in utter violation of regulations laid down in ‘Financial code’, ‘Book of Financial Powers’ and ‘Public Works Accounts Code’.
Expressing serious concern over the recent disclosure made in the media regarding withdrawal of around Rs 200 crore through self cheques at the fag end of previous year for works executed without following codal provisions, Mr Singh regretted that the issue was not only thrown under the carpet but the Government had failed to check the acts of omissions and commissions being still conducted in the Public Works Deptt with impunity. Reminding the Government of its rhetorical overtures on curbing corruption and checking malpractices, he said that a good beginning could be made by initiating action in the Rs 200 crore scam in which self cheques have been issued for withdrawal of hefty amounts ranging from Rs 10 lacs to Rs 50 lacs. Same malpractice is being replicated in the current financial year with a deep rooted and well knit mafia operational in the system facilitating the highly mischievous bargains, he added.
Drawing attention of new R&B Minister towards huge funds being drawn by various divisions of R&B in the State on the pretext of flood damages, slip clearance, repairs and renovation, Harshdev Singh called for due regard to legal provisions with fulfillment of requisite codal formalities in the execution of all such works.
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