PUC for technical inquiry into allotment of Ganpat Bridge work

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 20: Committee on Public Undertakings (PUC) of Legislative Assembly today directed the PWD to reconstitute a Technical Committee to conduct inquiry into the process of allotment of work for construction of RCC Bridge at Ganpat Doda.
The Committee, which met under the chairmanship of MLA, Sat Paul Sharma examined the CAG’s Audit paras pertaining to the Jammu & Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) besides reviewing the overall working of the Corporation.
Legislators Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, Mohammad Khalil Bandh, Abdul Majid Larmi, Raja Manzoor Ahmed, Rajeev Sharma, Rajesh Gupta and Vikram Randhawa attended the meeting.
The Committee issued directions for looking into the loopholes, if any, in the process for allotment of work related to the construction of RCC Bridge at Ganpat Doda and submission of report to the Chief Secretary by June 15  for scrutiny.
The Committee also held threadbare discussions on CAG’s Audit Para regarding allotment of work without inviting tenders and payment of unsecured interest free mobilization advance to the contractor which resulted in undue favour to contractor and interest loss of Rs 1.64 crore and CAG’s Audit Para regarding incurring of expenditure in excess of approved estimates.
The members of the Committee also stressed upon the concerned authorities to expedite working on all ongoing projects including bridges and buildings being executed by the Corporation in the State so that the general public does not suffer because of undue delays and that people are benefitted from the developmental projects launched for their welfare and convenience.
Commissioner Secretary, PWD, Sanjeev Verma and Managing Director, JKPCC, Vikar Mustafa Shanthu briefed the Committee about the action taken by the department on the observations made by CAG in its Audit Paras pertaining to the Corporation besides the present status of all ongoing projects and schemes of the Corporation.
Deputy Accountant General, Audit, V K Bakshi also briefed the Committee regarding the observations made by the CAG in its report and apprised them on measures being adopted to further improving the working of the Corporation.
Among others, Special Secretary, Assembly, R L Sharma, Additional Secretary, Assembly, Naseem Jan, senior officers of PWD, JKPCC and Assembly Secretariat were also present in the meeting.