Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 22: The state vigilance commission (SVC) has directed vigilance organization (VO) to expedite investigation in the alleged embezzlement at ICDS project, Samba, and ensure that those involved were subjected to judicial process at the earliest.
Taking a review of various complaints pending with VO, Jammu, and progress achieved in the investigation of case FIR No 28/2015 as regards the alleged irregularities in purchase of nutritional and non-nutritional items for ICDS project, Samba, by the officers of social welfare department and others without inviting tenders and in utter disregard of the government order, SVO observed that they had overstepped their powers.
SVO said the officials concerned had resorted to wanton abuse of their official position and violation of procedure while affecting purchases in huge quantities of food items for the project.
It was discovered during investigation that items to be procured were neither put to tenders nor any committee, as per procedure in vogue, was found constituted for the purpose. The supplies of pulses and edible oils, procured by the accused officials, were found underweight and substandard which stood confirmed by the government laboratory, SVO sources said.
All the supplies were shown procured from M/s Gokul and payments had been made through bearer cheques. "M/s Gokul has, however, denied having made any supplies of nutritional and non-nutritional items to ICDS, Samba, establishing the fact that the accused have manipulated records as all the supplies for the entire district were made by a blue-eyed local supplier. The accused have gone all out to confer benefit upon the supplier as lesser quantity of Moong Dal than the quantity reflected in Supply Order was procured as its rate was shown increased from the offered cost of Rs 72 per kg to Rs 104 per kg," sources alleged.
Taking a serious note of omissions and commissions allegedly committed by the officers of Social Welfare Department and others, which had caused a huge loss to the state exchequer, SVC directed VO to expedite investigation of the case, and ensure that the officers involved in the alleged embezzlement were subjected to judicial process soon. |
