Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 3: More skeletons are tumbling out from the cupboard of 'plant scam' as the Kashmir based politically affluent plants growers were dumping sapling in Jammu division that too without orders from any department. Moreover, after dumping plants, they were using their political connections to pressurize officers to release payments in their favour.
Exposing the nexus a Jammu based, contractor who is engaged with Rural Development Department claimed that district heads of RDD in Jammu division are worst victim of the plant supply 'nexus'. "The nursery owners from valley dump thousands of 'dead' plants in various districts of Jammu division", he said and added that nowadays Assistant Commissioner Development (ACDs) of various district are under 'scanner' of powerful leader of PDP. "Sometime, the consignments are directly handedover to Block Development Officers (BDOs) by the supplier", he claimed.
"The PDP leader, who is visibly not holding any position in present Government is running the show from behind the veil", the contractor said that added that the PDP leader is calling the shots not only in department headed by PDP Ministers, but interfering the department held BJP Ministers as well.
"Presently, un-auth 'Political masters pressurizing
officers to release payments'
"Kulgam is hub of 'plants scam' the nursery owner, dump 4-5 inches plants or sampling", he said and added that they left the delivery on receipts from concerned officers.
"A formal receipt, issued against the delivery by any officer is enough to take the deal to its logical conclusion, it is taking huge toll on department's exchequer", told an officer of RDD, whishing not to be named. He added that since huge amount is involved in each consignment (in lacs), the PDP leader some time used Chief Minister's office to pressurize the officers.
However, Reshi Mohiuddin, owner Reshi Nursery Kulgam when contacted said that he supplied plants on order issued by ACD, Udhampur, but now he is not releasing my payment of Rs 4 lacs. ACD, Udhampur, Angrez Singh, when contacted said that the he has not placed any order, so question of payment did not arise. "Purchase of plants had been banned long back", he added. |
