Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 19: The Commissioner Secretary, Rural Development Department has launched a crusade against corruption since the day Governor's Rule has been imposed in the state.
He has initiated action against several BDOs and ACDs for violating the instructions issued by the government but "two BDOs are still calling shots in Rajouri district and they need to be tamed," said a source.
According to 'govt instructions' issued on May 18, 2018 vide order number 126-RD&PR of 2018 any RDD Officer (BDOs and ACDs) who exceed allocated budget while clearing liabilities, were to be punished. "But this order couldn't be implemented in letter and spirit due to the political interference but soon after the fall of the PDP-BJP government the Commissioner Secretary swung into action and nailed the officials who ignored the instructions," said a source.
Insiders revealed that in Rajouri district, two block development officers, are throwing government's instructions to winds and have made double the payment than actually allocated and cleared liabilities for two years in advanced.
"Rs 10.42 crores was allocated for district Rajouri by government vide order number 126-RD&PR of 2018 and 19 block fall under the jurisdiction of the district including Nowshera, Kalakote, Qila Darhal, Doongi, Sunderbani, Siot, Budhal (Kotranka), Budhal New (Rajnagar), Khawas, Lamberi Surinder, Seri, Rajouri, Thanamandi, Planger, Manjakote, Panjgrain, Manjakote, Mougla, Darhal Abdul and Dhangri"
"The department released liability for year 2015-16, 2016-17 for material, but both the BDOs in connivance with Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Rajouri utilized funds double than the approved once", sources said.
They said, "Rs 70 lacs was allocated for year 2015-16 and 2016-17, for material's payment for of the block in the disrict, but the BDO made payments to tune of Rs 1.35 crores, and also cleared liability for years 2017-18, 2018-19 in advanced."
They further said that, another BDO too crossing his limits made payment eight times more than the allocated funds. "Rs 10 lacs allocated for the block, but the BDO spent Rs 80 lacs but the concerned ACD saved his 'smart' officers and didn't informed the higher authorities regarding the misdeed committed by his officers", they added.
It may be recalled that government has placed 10 BDOs under suspension for violating the instructions. The officials whom the axe has fallen upon are: BDO Surankote, Qadeer Charak, BDO Mendhar Mohammad Aftab Manhas, BDO Bafliaz Mohammad Mukhlis Qureshi, BDO Lassana Mazar Hussain Shah (DPO with addl charge of BDO), BDO Loran, Mohammad Naseem and BDO Poonch A R Hussain; BDO Karalpora (Kupwara), BDO Hirri Qadriabad (Kupwara), BDO Reddi Chakibal and BDO Meelyal had withdrawn excessive amount out of labour component for the sanctioned works under MG-NREGA. |
