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| CM says no to Aluminium doors, windows bought for LA complex | | Causes loss of Rs 85 lakhs to state | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Mar 19: In a cash starved state of Jammu & Kashmir, the authorities of J&K Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) at the behest of Chief Minister have caused a huge loss to the state exchequer by not using the aluminium frames for windows and doors for the newly constructed assembly complex at Srinagar . The said frames had been purchased at a cost of more than Rs 85 lakhs by JKPCC.
The doors and windows were recommended by the building designer who was paid a whooping amount of Rs 80 lakhs for the entire design work. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah according to valid information revealed under RTI intervened into this matter at the last moment and set aside the designers proposal and directed the JKPCC not to use aluminium doors and windows which had been already purchased and instead made them (JKPCC) to purchase first class teak wood frames for doors and windows to be used for the said complex. The aluminium door and window frames as per sources are eating rust in a JKPCC store at Srinagar.
As per details available with Early Times, a second appeal was filed by one Mohammad Yaqub Shardhar from Batmaloo Srinagar before the State Information Commission (SIC) on 17.09.2013. Brief grounds of appeal are that appellant filed RTI application on 10.04.2012 before Managing Director J&K Projects Construction Corporation Panama Chowk Jammu. PIO passed order on 31.08.2013. The appellant not being satisfied with the information filed First Appeal on 19.06.2013. First Appeal was also addressed to Managing Director JKPCC with a request that it be forwarded to the concerned First Appellate Authority.
The SIC order dated Feb 25, 2014 reads :
"Financial Controller of JKPCC who was designed as First Appellate Authority (FAA ) has adjudicated the first appeal under RTI Act for which he was designated as First Appellate Authority. Under the State RTI Act, First Appellate Authority is a quasi-judicial authority who has to adjudicate the appeals in a judicial manner and not in a routine executive fashion. He had to hear appellant as well as PIO, but it pains the Commission to find that even after 5 years of operation of State RTI Act in J&K State, authorities who are vested with the powers to implement this Act in the State are not well versed with the provisions of law and treat the duties assigned to them under this Act in a routine and administration fashion. PIO is directed to collect this information and provide the same to the information seeker within 5 days from the pronouncement of this order i.e. today in the open court. Regarding point No.2 information seeker has asked "under whose intervention the authorities used wooden doors and windows instead of aluminium doors and windows.
PIO JKPCC revelation before SIC :
"The use of aluminium doors and windows was already approved by the building designer. PIO stated that this information has been provided to the information seeker i.e. it was under the instructions of CM that first class teak wood frames for doors and windows were to be used for the Assembly complex. However, information seeker insists in his RTI application that he had asked whether aluminum doors and windows which were recommended by the building designer against fee of allegedly Rs.80 lakhs for the entire building design and as per the appellant building designer had suggested use of aluminium doors and windows.
The SIC order further reads as :
"The Commission has nothing to say with regard to this. However, information would be complete if information seeker is provided with a copy of note prepared on the basis of the minutes of the meeting held by CM vide JKPCC letter No. PS/MD/3936-39 dated 21.09.2009. This note be also provided to the information seeker within 5 days from the date of pronouncement of this order. The information seeker had further asked information for how much amount aluminium doors and windows were purchased and what was the end use of this material. PIO has informed him that these doors and windows have a cost of Rs.85.62 lakhs but as they were not used in the building they have been shifted to other working site which pertains to sister concern of JKPCC. The information seeker informed the Commission that this material is still lying un-used. PIO submitted that the end-user was also communicated to the information seeker on 28.06.2013 vide letter No. DGM/6/Srinagar/622-25 dated 28.06.2013. However, information seeker insists that this information was not received. It is further seen that this information was sent by ordinary post which is not in accordance with RTI Rules 2012. PIO is advised to hand over copy of the same to the information seeker and in future it should be ensured that information is sent through registered post. Commission, has been informed that substantial amount of public money has been used for purchase of material but this material has not been used for the purpose for which money was withdrawn from pubic treasury but the material is still un-used and is getting heaps of dust and is thus being rusted. This shows absolute insensitivity of the concerned authorities. Commission hopes that concerned authorities would be more sensitive towards these issues in this age of accountability and transparency. PIO is directed to explain the reasons for delay in supplying the information beyond mandatory period under the RTI Act 2009 so that action under Section 17 is initiated against him. The reply of the PIO should reach this Commission within 30 days from the receipt of this order." |
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