 M S Nazki
Early Times Report
MENDHAR, Feb 11: A probe has been ordered into the allegedly shoddy construction of a conference hall inside the government dak bungalow here.
Though the conference hall was still underconstruction, its roof leaked in the recent rains in the town and its pillars were also of very poor quality, according to official sources.
Against the total estimated project cost of Rs 82 lakh, a tender of Rs 57 lakh was floated by the concerned department last year. It was allotted to contractor Nasir Ahmad of Faizlabad, Surankote.
After the contract got allotted in his name, Nasir started construction under the supervision of AEE (PWD R&B Sub-Division, Mendhar) Sajjad Khan and JE R K Goswami. However, when Mendhar SDM Romesh Kumar visited the spot a few days back, he found that sub-standard material had been used in construction. He also examined the leaking roof and poor quality pillars, the sources added.
"I have taken up the matter with Poonch deputy commissioner M H Malik and given him all the details of shoddy construction of the conference hall," the SDM said.
When contacted, Malik said he had ordered a probe into the incident and asked the concerned executive engineer (Xen) to submit him the factual report. "I won't spare anybody and if the need arises, I will recommend the matter to the state vigilance organisation for a thorough probe," he added.
Xen Shabir Hussain Shah said he had asked the AEE to submit him the report.
A payment of Rs 10 lakh stands paid to the contractor. The deputy commissioner said he had ordered to stop further payment to the contractor. |
