Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 17: Recently selected by the Union Ministry of Rural Development for the award in the best performing category at the national level for implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) J&K, the Rajouri division of the PMGSY reportedly compromised the size (widening) of the road constructed in Bravi-Kote Kabu villages of Kalakote tehsil of district Rajouri.
According to sources, to know the exact width of the road an RTI was also filed but the department furnished blurred reply without addressing the question of width of the road.
"Detail of Brevi to Kote Kabu Stage-II, JK12-187 was sought from the PMGSY authorities", sources informed Early Times, adding that the authorities could not answer several questions raising suspicion over the works of said road.
"Nor the PIO PMGSY, Rajouri neither first appellate authority (FAA) provided the copy of tender form invited for construction of a road. Question regarding the width of the road also remained unanswered", the information seeker said.
However, the PMGSY vide number EE/PMGSY/717-19, dated 18/07/2019 the PIO informed the information seeker, addressing only one question vis prescribed with of the PMGSY roads i.e. 5.5 meters to 6 meters.
"I personally visited the site and found maximum width of the black-topped area of said was not beyond 6-7 feet. At several places (4-5), the stretch maybe 8-9 feet", he said, adding that the road does not fulfill described width and specification under PMGSY.
"I challenged PIO and FAA's fact concealing replies before the erstwhile J&K State Information Commission. The Commission summoned concerned offices, but the mean time the JKSIC was winded-up before the implementation of J&K Reorganisation Act 2019", he said, adding that since the fate of the RTI Act is hanging in balance in the state, he urges upon the anti-graft agencies of Union Territories of J&K as well as Central agencies to look into the misappropriation of funds committed by the PMGSY authorities in Rajouri by compromising the specification of road and other works being executed by PMGSY.
Executive Engineer, PMGSY Division Rajouri Farooq Chowdhary when contacted said that he would into the matter. "I don't remember, what reply was given to the information seeker regarding the road width", he said, adding that however, the prescribed width of the road is 5.5 meters to 6 meters as per PMGSY's guidelines. |
