Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: The Urban Local Body seems to be least bothered to follow the norms while executing works as three ULBs spent over Rs 2 crore on construction works which were in fact irregular in nature in violation of the laid down norms.
Sources told Early Times that as per J&K Financial rules which envisage that works should be executed only after ascertaining reasonability of rates by invitation of tenders or obtaining quotations and the Public Works Account Code further provides execution of emergent nature of works by department by engaging labour through mates or contractors.
They further said that despite clear directives, the three Urban Local Bodies and its subordinate agencies spent over Rs 2 Crore including Srinagar Municipal Commission which incurred Rs 1 crore, Municipal Committee Khour spent Rs 90 lakh and Municipal Committee Reasi incurred at Rs 10 lakh during the period 2012-15 on execution of original nature of works departmentally by engaging labour through mates in violation of the laid down norms.
Astonishingly, the concerned ULBs termed the execution of work as emergent nature, but fact of the matter is that any construction work including construction of various buildings, premises and lanes, drains cannot be put under the ambit of emergent nature.
In order to shield violations committed by them, the ULBs, put onus on the higher authority by asserting that the works being of emergent nature were executed departmentally on the directions of higher authorities, sources informed.
It has been observed that the most of subordinate agencies of ULBs are indulging in mal practice of using funds in violation of norms. |
