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| Multi-crore scam in PHE Rajouri, Govt reluctant to order probe | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 6: Apprehensive of political fallout, state government has shown reluctance in unearthing PHE scam worth crores of rupees which surfaced in Rajouri district during erstwhile PDP-Cong coalition government.
The multi-crore scam was brought forth by elected representatives of Rajouri district during a meeting of District Development Board (DDB) in the year 2006. They had alleged that officials of PHE department had embezzled funds meant for various schemes. They had further alleged that 'whosoever was posted in Rajouri district became rich overnight; built palatial houses both in their native town as well as in the twin capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir.
They had urged the then Chief Minister to initiate time bound inquiry and ensure that guilty are booked and put behind the bars. They had asked the Chief Minister to create a mechanism, through which corrupt officers are forced to return public money even after their retirement. Taking cognizance of the allegations, the then Chief Minister had sought detailed report of the works executed during the last 15 years (1990-2005) and list of the officials who served in this division during this period.
The verbal communication was turned into written order within a few days. Two committees were reportedly formed; one was headed by Divisional Commissioner Jammu and other by Chief Engineer PHE Jammu to probe the matter. The then Divisional Commissioner Jammu had asked District administration Rajouri to submit the detailed report of the works executed along with the investment into each scheme.
He had also sought the list of the officials who served in the division since 1990 to 2006. Media too speculated a lot into the entire issues. The accused officials had overnight shifted to rented houses and even, got the documents of properties belonging to them changed from experts in Rajouri and Jammu. One of these officers, who served for longest tenure during the inquiry period, even closed three bank accounts in nationalized banks and opened fresh ones in Banks outside J&K.
Much more had happened and government through its sources knew well that those allegedly involved had begun finding the escape route. However, if the PHE officials are to be believed, the inquiry was never conducted in the holistic manner. "It was not at all an inquiry but merely witch hunting. It had political importance but officially speaking, nobody was ever summoned to explain why PHE is defunct in Rajouri," said a retired Chief Engineer, seeking anonymity.
He added that Tehsildars were verbally asked to prepare separate present-status-report of the PHE schemes in their areas of jurisdiction but no written communication was ever sent to them. "A list of 12 Executive Engineers and 20 AEEs, who served in Rajouri division during the last 15 years, was always ready with the PHE department. But no one ever sought that from us," asserted the official.
He disclosed that most of these officers are living in palatial houses and have two to three cars each. "Government's hesitation to order a detailed inquiry indicates that those involved have strong political connections. The committees which were reportedly constituted to dig out the truth dumped the reality and not only this, all the officials who served PHE Rajouri division between 1990 to 2005 and are allegedly involved in the scam were given promotions and prize postings. A few of them are still serving while most others have retired," said another official. |
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