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| Villagers allege embezzlement of funds, demand probe | | Dilapidated road unearths PMGSY muck | | Ajay Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 15: In a series of scams that have maligned the image of NC led coalition Government in the state, latest to surface is brazen embezzlement of huge funds on construction of a road under prestigious PMGSY in Sunderbani Tehsil of border district Rajouri.
The Government record shows Rs one crore and 34 lakhs having been sanctioned and spent on the road that connects as many as 15 villages but the condition of road by all means and accounts suggests not even half of the amount is spent on its construction. The finger is being pointed towards the Rural Development Department and the ex sarpanch, who allegedly connived to embezzle funds.
Hit by the dysfunctional mode, the villagers have demanded probe and re construction of the road within 15 days . They have threatened to block Jammu-Rajouri National Highway if Government fails to act or ignore their plight.
"It is far more than a dilapidated and deteriorated state of road, to the extent that it is not fit for pedestrians. Its motorable aspect has since come to a halt………", said the existing Sarpanch Tirath Ram Sharma under whose chairmanship a meeting was held in Sunderbani and attended by the representatives of all affected villages. It is not mere allegation but we have proof as well to substantiate that huge amount of funds have been embezzled for construction of this road, said a villager Shiv Kumar. As there is complete halt on connectivity, thousands of villagers have raised a voice of revolt against Rural Development Department and the then Sarpanch , alleging both have in connivance looted the funds as a result of which the road is in complete shambles.
Though the road was constructed during the previous regime of National Conference in 2001, it is the criminal silence and lack of action against anyone by the present Government which is raising more suspicions of loot and misuse of funds sanctioned for the road . Having a length of 4.75 kms, the construction on road began in 2001 and its foundation stone was laid by the then Rural Development Minister Ajay Sadhotra. It is a stretch essentially from village Makol Mandir to Nohoti, but it connects a number of villages which is why people of all these villages are agitated on the condition of road and raising pitch against alleged loot of funds. Due to dilapidated condition of the road with deep ditches and broken surface all over, no vehicles can move and this is forcing the villagers to tread a long distance almost everyday. The resentment is more because the road was got constructed under PMGSY project . However, the villagers and the present Sarpanch say it is a clear case of embezzlement for which the fingers are being raised towards ex sarpanch Mohan Lal , alleging he in connivance with the Rural Development Ministry has looted the funds.
Interesting aspect about this road is that local politicians and leaders are well aware as to something wrong has happened in its construction and they too have been demanding probe into the matter. Ironically, it is Congress leader and MLC Ravinder Sharma who has been demanding probe. In the previous Coalition of Congress and PDP the Government had assured probe as also restoration of road for smooth connectivity. All this eludes till date. |
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