Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 20: Breaking all previous records of misappropriation of funds, the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department (RDPRD) purchased tiles double than the manufacturing capacity of a manufacturer from Jammu district.
According to documents available with Early Times, more than 80 lakh interlocking tiles were ordered by the department to a particular manufacturer, who supplied around 70 lakh interlocking tiles during two and half years, double than his manufacturing capacity.
"The manufacturer supplied tile in a very 'fictitious' manner in three districts Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts of Jammu division", said Naman Bakshi, who has also an interlocking tiles manufacturing unit in Reasi district. "I received information through RTI Act, which reveals that to meet their greed some officers in Rural Development Department, crossed all limits and underplayed fact that from where they purchased tiles, have a defined manufacturing capacity", he said, adding that assessment report of said unit made by General Manager, district industries Centre, Jammu (copy available with Early Times) revealed that the said manufacturer can manufacture maximum 16.80 lacs tiles in a year.
"But the unit in questions, supplied 41.44 lacs tiles to the department against the order of 4.06 lacs during the year 2016-17. Next year, 2017-18 the manufacturer supplied 22.29 lacs instead of 28.27 tiles order given by the department. For year 2018-19, during April to September the department placed order of 6.62 lacs tiles to said unit and 4.25 tiles were supplied to department", information obtained through RTI reveals.
He said that at a time when Prime Minister is stressing to make the youth job givers, officers who are supposed to make PM's dream true, are busy to siphoning public money meant for development.
"Under PM's make in India I started my unit in Reasi, but unfortunately, i got not a single order of tiles from even my own district, as i was unable to pay bribe/commission for the order, nexus of the officers and the manufacturing units are also harassing and threatening me", he claimed.
For year tile ordered tile supplied
2016-17 48,06,000 41,44,450
2017-18 28,27,950 22,29,700
2018-19 6,62,500 4,25,000
Total 82,96,450 67,99,150 |
