Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 17: Taking serious note of one after another extension to the agencies engaged in the execution of sewerage works in twin capital cities, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi today directed Director Project, NBCC, New Delhi to file an affidavit within two weeks explaining the day to day functioning of various agencies executing the work in Jammu and Srinagar cities.
“If no valid explanation is filed in the form of affidavit, Director Project A K Mittal shall remain present in person along with the record”, the DB said.
After hearing Advocate Abhinav Sharma for the petitioners, AAG H A Siddiqui and Advocate R Koul for the respondents and Advocate Rohit Kapoor for Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), the Division Bench observed, “in addition to the status report objections on behalf of respondents have been filed. The record shows that nine agencies were given sub contracts by the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) Limited”.
“In respect of trunk sewer lines in Jammu the tender was awarded to M/s Technofab Engg Limited. The contract was to commence from February 26, 2008 and the period of two years was to expire on February 26, 2010. The provisional extension was given up to December 31, 2010 and there was a proposal for further provisional extension up to March 31, 2012”, the DB observed, adding “this trend is reflected in respect of others also. We fail to understand as to how a contract which is to be completed within a period of two years has been extended for further period of three years and there is a proposal to extend further”.
“In respect of lateral sewer lines, Sector-III Jammu contract was awarded to M/s Age Construction Pvt Ltd, which was to commence from May 18, 2008 and it was to be completed within a period of 12 months—on or before May 17, 2009. The extension was firstly given up to August 31, 2010 and thereafter up to March 31, 2012. The interest of the public at large and the finances of the Government of India which is tax payers’ money have not been kept in view”, the DB furThe DB further said, “colossal delay in execution of work is causing inconvenience to the general public and adversely affecting their quality of life and health. The dust generated by the incomplete work left on the street escapes into the houses and then to human body. It results in great health hazard apart from colossal loss of public money”.
While issuing directions for filing an affidavit by an officer not below the rank of Director Project namely A K Mittal, NBCC New Delhi, the DB has asked the Registry to list the case on January 2, 2013.
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