| PWD 'siphoned off' Rs 2.3 cr under RIDF | | Bathindi to Rati road: funds released in 2008, no road in sight yet | |  Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 3: An amount of Rs 232 lakh meant for a 4-km road stretch in the outskirts of Jammu city has been reportedly siphoned off by the executing agency.
According to sources, the road with estimated cost of Rs 232 lacs (Rs 2.32 cr) was sanctioned a decade ago. "Construction of road from Bathindi to Rati Sarari via Bermini of Jammu, with four km length was undertaken by PWD during 2007-08", sources said and added that the project was funded by NABARD under Rural Infrastructure Department Fund (RIDF) XIII during 2007-08.
Sources alleged that the concerned agencies have drained entire funds without spending a single penny on the ground.
"The executive agencies under the popular government made attractive plans to rural connectivity, but on ground nothing has been done, which shows negligence on part of government and department concerned", sources said.
They said that since 1998 under RIDF, funds for 1913 schemes were issued, but only 833 were executed.
"Under RIDF-XIII that commenced during financial year 2007-08, a total of 228 schemes including above mentioned road with an estimated cost of Rs 456.16 crore and Rs 270 crore allocated by NABARD", sources said and added that only 53 schemes were completed with an expenditure of Rs 260.73 cr.
"During Governor's Rule in the state since June 20, various decisions have been taken to root out corruption. We urge upon Governor to take appropriate action into this scam and also check other works done RIDF. Certainly, many big fish involved would be exposed", they added. |
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