Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 26: In the absence of Opposition PDP and even NPP, it was virtual National Conference versus Congress today in the Upper House of the Legislature as the NC members pressed for announcing a House Committee (HC) to hold thorough probe into the alleged scandals worth crores in the procurement of PHE pipes and CCDU in the PHE Department while the Congress members opposed such committee, stating that inquiry into the matter was already in progress.
Taking opportunity of the moment, the issue was forcefully raised by the National Conference member Devender Singh Rana and was supported by Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy, Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri and other NC members, when Minister incharge PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma (Cong) was replying to the discussion on the working of his ministry in the Legislative Council today. The sitting minister raised serious allegations regarding the mal-pratice and irregularities prevalent in the PHE, I&FC Department earlier and alleged that pipes worth crores were purchased without any need. He said there were no water sources and requirement and even no place for storage, even then PHE pipes in bulk were purchased causing loss to the public exchequer.
The Minister further pointed out that many pipes were getting rusted and lying in the open as there are no stores to keep them. There was no accountability at all, now purchase committee existing and no quality control system prevailing in the department. With the stroke of single order, without approval of any committee, purchases worth hundreds of crores were being made. He said under CCDU scheme, Central Government provides funds worth crores for awareness on water quality since 2005, but nobody knew where these funds were going. No money was spent on ground, but it was shown on papers only. He pointed out that after he took over the charge hardly two months back he found that the funds under the CCDU schemes were not properly utilized and ordered an inquiry. Several officers were also placed under suspension. He said the report of the Committee will come out within four-five days. It was surprising to note that now boards are being raised at various places and Rs 14.70 lakh were spent in just last three weeks by concerned officers of the Unit after he raised the issue.
As the minister concluded his reply, the NC Member Devender Singh Rana stood up and pointed out that PHE Minister Sham Lal has raised very serious issue which pertained to the siphoning out of public funds worth crores. He said realising the seriousness of the issue, it is collective responsibility of all the members of this House to support the Minister and entire House must demand for the setting up of House Committee to inquire into the scandal regarding procurement of pipes and CCDU funds.
He said the truth must come out to the public and guilty should be punished. Two other NC members Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy and Dr B A Veeri also stood up and pressed for setting up of House Committee while majority of the Congress members stayed calm over the demand.
Legislative Council was abruptly interrupted by Congress Member Ravinder Sharma, who pleaded that minister at his own detected some irregularities in the department and announced two inquiry committees which are already on the job. The House should have faith in his integrity and capability. The minister should ensure the enquiry in time bound manner and “we don’t think that there was any reason to go for any House Committee for the same,” Mr Sharma maintained.
Other Congress members Jugal Kishore, Naresh Kumar Gupta, followed by Ghulam Nabi Monga also stood up and opposed the formation of House Committee and pleaded that two committees were already in place and allow the report to come first. If the House feels that probe was not satisfactory, then another House Committee can be announced.
But the NC members again pressed for the House Committee and pleaded that those who have done wrong can not be let off to go scot free. The Minister for PHE then stood up and said if any House Committee is required, he was in favour of a probe from 1992 onwards because he has found irregularities thereafter till today. Mr Rana said they had no problem if the probe is ordered from that period. Whosoever has done wrong be brought to book because the issue pertained to the theft of public money worth crores. He said the minister himself has admitted on the floor of the House that hardly 50% of the funds are utilized for schemes and rest of the funds are siphoned out, then there are many members in this House whose conscious is still alive and want that a fair probe is held and those committed theft are punished.
It went on between NC and Congress members for sometimes, indicating an element of opposition among the ruling ‘coalition members’ even in the absence of ‘Opposition party’ (PDP) in the Upper House. Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather who was witnessing this all calmly since long, apparently compelled by the circumstances finally broke his silence and stood up. He said the PHE Minister has told the House that two Committees have been framed to hold inquiry into the irregularities detected by him in the department. Announcing another Inquiry Committee will be over-lapping of earlier committees and moreover, it will affect the functioning of this important department for 2-3 months. Entire record will be seized. Public will suffer. So, it will not be wise to go for it and we should not be in hurry in taking such decisions, he added.
With the remarks of the senior most NC minister, many NC members apparently turned calm but Mr Rana then stood up and said since Rather Sahib have spoken on it and it will be not fair enough to speak anything more now, but being a most junior and raw in the field, he still pleads that he was not against anybody. He was not pin pointing these two issues. He had projected that for the scanning of entire department and in the fair play of justice and stop the theft in future the House Committee be announced. “Let, there be no work in the department for two months, but we want that this theft be stopped forthwith and guilty are exposed and punished,” Mr Rana maintained.
The Chairman after hearing arguments reserved his judgement and declared that decision in this regard be announced on next sitting during this Session only, probably on April 1, 2013.
Earlier replying, the minister said that 17 members spoke on the subject and he has recorded the suggestions and the points raised by the members. He disclosed that all the three major canals have been thrown open at least 20 days in advance as earlier these used to be opened on Baisakhi.
He further disclosed that work on Satwain-Lakhanpur canal to fetch share of water from Ranjit Sagar dam and the Centre has stopped funds to Punjab for the Shahpur Kandi barrage project as the J&K has lodged strong protest against it. The Punjab has been denied Rs 2900 crore funding for the same. He pointed out that Punjab has also denied power and irrigation water share to the State and J&K was vigorously persuing the same.
Mr Sharma said that to improve the functioning of the department, monthly or quarterly review on the physical and financial achievements will be carried out. He said 11255 habitations have been covered under water distribution system and out of the 1279 taken up for coverage this year, 706 have already been covered providing benefit to 5.26 lakh. All the divisions of his department have been asked to prepare projects for 10 check dams so that water conservation is taken care of in the State. He said 35 % population is net getting safe drinking water and it will be his utmost effort to provide 100 % percent safe drinking water to the people. The Minister said 36 water testing labs have been set up and efforts are afoot to set up Lab at each Sub Division. He also stressed the need to revive the natural water sources. He said that he himself will conduct random checking of various water supply schemes across the State so that physical and financial achievements could be delivered.
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