| Flood, irrigation funds embezzled in Poonch | | | Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 20: An alleged scam of several crores has surfaced in Poonch district, where more than two dozens of canals are redundant; however, Flood Control and Irrigation Department has spent several crores on the so-called restoration of the canals.
According to documents available with Early Times under State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) payments of more than Rs eight crore have been spent by I&FC department Poonch. "Information obtained by Sitara Welfare Society Poonch, from office of District Treasury Poonch under RTI revealed that Flood Control and Irrigation Department Poonch under SDRF has spent Rs 7, 83, 33, 573 during 2014-15", the documents read.
Sources informed that the Executive Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Department had admitted that 22 out 90 tributaries (canals) in district are redundant since the flood (2014) came.
"It is surprising that the department after the flood had spent around Rs 8 crore, but most of the canals in the district are defunct. A high level probe need to be done to un-earth the scam amounting several crores of rupees that took place in Poonch district alone", they said.
They further said that the locals visited two canals and found both the canals in dilapidated conditions. "Canal in Ajot area and Dig-Mung area were inspected by locals recently, according to officials lakhs of rupees were spent for restoration works, but on ground both canals were in dilapidated conditions", sources said, adding that it exposes what the department has done to the damaged canals.
Moreover, the sources said that the despite payments of Rs 7, 83, 33, 573 during 2014-15 made, the department has a liability of Rs 8.78 cr. They demanded that the Governor should order a high level probe to un-earth the scam.
Executive Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control, Poonch Mushtaq Ahmed when contacted said that he received Rs 1.70 cr against the liability more than Rs eight crores.
"People approach me, seeking allotment of crate-work, which totally is illegal, now they are using propaganda against department", he said, adding that the division received Rs 1.70 cr against liability of Rs 4.71 cr for year 2014-15. "Not a single penny has been received by the division for the year 2015-16", he said, adding that liability of Rs 3.84 for the year 2012-13 is also pending.
However, the sources said that the Deputy Commissioner Poonch has assured the people that five to eight canals in Surankot, Mandi and other areas of the district would shortly be made functional. The Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Mohammad Haroon Malik did not pick the call for his comments. |
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