| Rs 50 Lakhs meant for Red Cross Bhawan ‘went missing’ | | Funds transferred by IRCS to CE PWD Kashmir in 2012, matter lands at Raj Bhawan | | Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 5: Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) J&K has knocked Raj Bhawan’s doors, for a decade old embezzlement case of 50 lakhs rupees, meant for the construction of Red Cross Bhawan, Srinagar, the amount was transferred to Chief Engineer, PW (R&B) Kashmir in 2012.
According to sources, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Honorary, General Secretary, IRCS J&K has brought to the apparent embezzlement to the notice of President, IRCS, J&K, LG Manoj Sinha, in July last year.
However, taking cognizance of the matter the LG office has asked PW (R&B) for necessary action.
“You are requested to take necessary action in the matter to have the funds transferred to JKPCC so that the execution of work gets fast-tracked and make this Bhawan available for the philanthropic activities services planned by IRCS, J&K”, Principal Secretary to LG JK UT Nitishwar Kumar wrote to Principal Secretary Public Works (R&B) Department on July 31, 2021.
“An amount of Rs 50 lacs was transferred by IRCS, J&K to Chief Engineer PW(R&B) Department, Kashmir for construction of Red Cross Bhawan, Srinagar in 2012. For next two no progress was reported by the Chief Engineer which compelled the IRCS to request for returning the amount along with interest for getting the work executed through other agency”, sources said, adding that till date nothing has been done by the concerned agency.
“Keeping in view the public importance associated with the development of this infrastructure, it was immediately decided by State Management Committee, IRCS, J&K to handover the work to JKPCC
Ltd”, sources said, adding that despite requests and reminders to Chief Engineer, PW(R&B) Kashmir, the amount was not returned instead it was stated that the amount has been advanced to J&K Cements Ltd. and State Procurement Department, Pampore that too without substantiating with record.
“Since 2012, the construction of Red Cross Bhawan, Srinagar has been hampered solely due to lackadaisical approach of executing agency i.e. Chief Engineer PW (R&B). Kashmir which has benefited the public with Blood Bank and other facilities planned for this Bhawan”, sources said.
“The JKPCC has executed the work on the project, but till date not a single penny has been returned by the PW(R&B) Department”, Honorary, General Secretary, IRCS J&K, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi said, adding that the IRCS has taken up the issue with Raj Bhawan and hoped that it would yield good results. |
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