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| ‘Beneficiaries’ enjoying patronage, managed huge allotments for works worth hundreds of crore’ | | Fake contractor cards, firms’ scandal of 2020 | | Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 17: Despite alleged fake contractor cards and firms scam that surfaced in January 2020 being under investigation several beneficiaries holding fake cards under patronage of top engineers are still handling major projects in Jammu and Kashmir worth several hundred crores.
The Crime Branch Jammu had registered a case 1/2020 under section 420, 465, 467, 471, 120-B IPC. Sources told Early Times there several hundred fake cards in the market and the people holding fake firms/ contractor cards had managed huge allotments for works worth hundreds of crores under the alleged patronage of engineers.
“But still fake card holder contractors’ hailing from Banihal (Ramban) and Chenani (Udhampur) are having a free run. These contractors had managed fake cards/firms long back but the same had proved as fake/fictitious after being verified from issuing authority mentioned on the cards”, sources said, “Under the patronage of the top engineers, they always escaped actions under law for holding fake cards. These contactors till date have completed works of hundred crores worth (mostly road works, PMGSY on basis of fake firms and cards,” sources said.
“God father of these contractor has rescued his friends on many occasions by using his official position.” sources said, adding however, the registration of FIR in fake card scam by the Crime Branch, has debarred the contractors from participating in any bid till the case is concluded.
The fake card holders after sensing trouble, surrendered their fake firms/cards and got A class contractor cards issued from the Chief Engineer Kmr. Irrigation & F.C. Department Srinagar in 2019. Photo copies of the card issued by Chief Engineer Kmr. Irrigation & F.C. Department Srinagar in 2019 are in possession of Early Times.
Interestingly, after registration of Case by Crime Branch Jammu in fake contractors’ cards/firm scandal, the then Additional Director General Crime Branch J&K in March 2021 had conveyed to all the Chief Engineers, to get verified the contractors’ card from the issuing instead of seeking NOC from the Crime Branch.
“Due to these black-sheep (fake cards/firm holders and the engineers’ nexus), all government departments suffer huge financial losses. The LG administration should intervene in this scandal going unnoticed for decades. Promptly acting on the case of “A Class” issued in violation of rules, the government has cancelled the card recently similar actions on large scale cards issued from Kashmir is required to protect genuine and hardworking contactors”, said a contactor. |
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