| Then XEn and other officials PWD (R&B),Udhampur land in vigilance net | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 21 : The vigilance organization today registered a case against then Executive Engineer, Ram Singh, the then AEE, Verinder Kumar, the then JE, PWD (R&B) Division Udhampur and others for fraudulently withdrawing Rs 24.25 Lakhs against the construction of bridge over Devak Nallah at Benisang which has never been constructed.
According to officials spokesperson, a case under FIR No.01/2016 P/S u/s 5 (1)(d) r/w 5 (2) J&K PC Act and 120-B RPC has been registered in P/S VOJ against S P Gupta, then Executive Engineer, Ram Singh the then AEE, Verinder Kumar the then JE, PWD (R&B) Division Udhampur, and others on the basis of a joint surprise check conducted into the allegations in a complaint against PWD R&B Division Udhampur for drawing Rs. 24.25 lakhs against the construction of bridge over Devak Nallah at Benisang whereas no Bridge has been actually constructed over Devak Nallaha at Benisang by the PWD (R&B) Division Udhampur."
The verifications revealed that the then Executive Engineer PWD(R&B) Division Udhampur namely S P Gupta has floated tender for the work of repair to Foot Suspension Bridge 365'-0" span over river Tawi at Benisang for a tendered cost of Rs.9.00 lakhs vide NIT No T-30/2009-10, Dated 7/2009.
"The work was further allotted to the Contractor Kuldeep Raj s/o Bishan Dass of village Bain for an allotted amount of Rs 11.32 lakh vide Executive Engineer allotment No. 4543-49, Dtd 31/08/2009," vigilance spokespersons added.
"The Executive Engineer PWD(R&B) Division Udhampur has floated tender without Technical Sanction (TS) which is a pre-requisite as per rules. In absence of accord of AAA/TS/ Availability of funds against a specific work, the tenders cannot be floated by the Executive Engineer and thus abused his official position, official said adding, "funds to the tune of Rs.23.90 lakh have been received by the department under District Plan in installments in anticipation of accord of AAA for the work Construction of 38.00 mts span Foot Suspension Bridge over Devak Nallah at Benisang during the period 2008-09."
Spokesperson further said that an amount of Rs.23.90 lakhs released by the government for construction of foot suspension bridge over Devak Nallah at Benisang has been misappropriated by the accused Executive Engineer in criminal conspiracy with the officers/officials and others who remained associated with the work and has been shown drawn against repair of 365 feet span suspension foot bridge over River Tawi at Benisang, approach path of 365 feet suspension bridge, payment of wages and freight charges of departmental materials @ Rs 13.50 lakhs, Rs 0.39 lakhs, Rs 4.69 lakhs and Rs 5.32 lakh respectively.
"An amount of Rs.13.50 lacs have been shown drawn against the repairs of the old existing bridge by way of replacement of Deodar Timber, he said adding, "neither the old material has been accounted for nor has been it mentioned in the estimates or bill as to when the basis of bridge has been constructed and where has been the old material stored which is clear indication of fraudulent drawl.
He added that an amount of Rs 0.39 lakhs has been shown drawn against approach path of already existing 365 feet Foot Bridge while an amount of Rs 4.69 lakhs has been again wrongfully drawn as wages of casual labourers etc. whereas it was meant for construction of a bridge.
"The wages shown drawn is violative on two accounts, firstly such engagements are absolutely banned and secondly the money was not meant for it, spokesperson said, adding, "likewise an amount of Rs 5.32 lakhs has been shown illegally drawn against freight charges of materials."
"The material was neither approved nor any prior sanction was received from the concerned authorities. Thus, the officers/officials of PWD (R&B) abused their official positions and exhausted the state exchequer unnecessarily. The investigation of the case has been taken-up, official vigilance spokesperson added. |
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