AJAY SHARMA
Early Times Report
SUNDERBANI, Nov 20: Following an expose by 'Early Times' regarding 'misuse' of government funds in Nalamakol Panchayat of Teshil Sunderbani, Rural Development Department of the Panchayat today initiated an inquiry into the matter.
As per reports members of the enquiry committee are Village Level Worker Naubat Ram, Junior Engineer and in-charge VLW-Surinder Singh. The committee members were joined by Naib Sarpanch of the area. The committee members have been given the mandate to look into the allegations of misuse of funds during construction of de-channel, which according to locals was never established on the ground.
According to a senior official of the department, wishing anonymity, Naib Sarpanch in connivance with other members of the committee tried to manipulate the things as per their convenience. "Naib Sarpanch, who led the committee showed them patch work outside the house of Dev Raj and claimed that this is the work done under the project," said the official, adding that however, the local asserted that he has done this work by himself without any help from the government.
"As per guidelines, there should be geo-tag photo including time and date before the start of the project and on completion of the project, but in the present case nothing such sort of thing has been done," said the official, adding that now the department is trying to recreate the scene by making fake images. Moreover, a senior official said that the officers are passing the buck, when questioned.
"They are claiming that the geo-tag photos lie with GRS, who claimed it to be with the contractor, but in fact there are no geo-tag photos," said the official, adding that this matter requires deep investigation to fix the erring officers. When contacted GRS Pankaj Kumar Sharma claimed that he has no knowledge about geo-tag photos and they could be possibly lying with the contractor, but the file speaks otherwise.
Meanwhile, locals and social activists of the area appealed to the concerned authorities to look into the matter and take strict action against the officials found guilty. |
