Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: Harshdev Singh, NPP MLA and its working chairman has alleged pilferage in Public Works Department and swindling of major portion of the developmental funds in the process of execution of planned works.
In a statement, Mr Singh claimed that 75-80 percent of developmental funds earmarked for construction of roads, bridges and other public utility concerns were siphoned off in the form of commissions, undue profiteering and other unwholesome bargains leaving only around 20 percent of available funds for utilization on the ground.
He alleged that there was a powerful and well Knit mafia operating in the deptt having full blessings of the helmsman and it was this mafia which decided all issues including allotments of works, transfers and postings, issue of Payments for work done liabilities etc.
Harshdev Singh further pointed out the large scale violations of codal formalities in the execution of works by PWD and alleged that thousands of construction works have been awarded to blue eyed contractors. He said that in response to RTI application moved by him the department has admitted that total number of works executed departmentally in Jammu province alone was 773 in 2008-09 costing Rs 1188.79 lakh, 2225 in 2009-10 costing Rs 4384.11 lakh and 1906 in 2010-11 costing Rs. 3328.21. He said that likewise the number of departmentally executed works was more than 5000 in various districts of Kashmir Division and was expected to be much higher as only part information had been received. The number of departmentally executed works was thus above 9000 in the State which was a record of sorts created by the present govt, he said.
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