news details |
|
|
| BDOs flaunt norms fearlessly, vigilance probe nowhere in sight | | Financial mismanagement in SGRY scheme | |
Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, June 24: State government is yet to order vigilance probe against the Block Development Officers (BDOs) who blatantly violated financial rules and regulations in the implementation of centrally sponsored Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) scheme in 11 blocks of Jammu district in the year 2003.
Financial code was thrown to the winds and works were executed without any technical or administrative approval. The then Director Rural Development had in his report laid bare the truth but the then government preferred to order another inquiry for reasons best known to it. The then ACD Udhampur Arun Kumar Sharma was made the inquiry officer and told to probe into alleged wrongful and illegal execution of rural developmental works in Jammu district in year 2002-2003.
He inquired and pointed towards financial flaws in the execution of centrally sponsored Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) scheme in 11 blocks of Jammu district in the year 2003. The then officers who came under the
scanner included the then XEN (REW), the then ACD Fakir Chand Bhagat and the then BDOs of R.S.Pura, Bishnah, Akhnoor, Satwari, Purmandal, Samba, Vijaypur, Marh, Bhalwal, Khour and Dansal blocks of Jammu district.
According to the inquiry report, formal approval of plans under SGRY-I and II was conveyed by the then District Development Commissioner (DDC) Jammu Dr. Pawan Kotwal on March 11, 2003 to the then Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Fakir Chand Bhagat vide his letter no. DDC/AP-SGRY/2-3/4131-32. The then executive engineer of Rural Engineering Wing (REW) Jammu Rajeev Gupta did not convey approval of the estimates but accorded direct technical sanction keeping in view limited time left for execution of these works.
Most of the works under Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY)-I and II had been taken up by Block Development Officers (BDOs) in anticipation of technical sanctions and administrative approval particularly during the month of March 2003 in Marh, Satwari, Bishnah, Vijaypur, R.S.Pura and Khour blocks. Works in all these blocks had been started days ahead of the grant of technical sanction. This is quit in contravention to the procedure laid down for the execution of works.
However, the illegal action was regularized by block development officers by obtaining technical sanctions, administrative approval and approval of plans in the same month i.e. March 2003. In blatant violation of norms, works amounting to Rs. 0 to 60 lakhs in Akhnoor, Bhalwal, Marh and R.S.Pura had been taken up on the basis of estimates framed by the then Junior Engineer, which had been checked by the then Assistant Engineer in each case. The payment had also been made in the same order.
Inquiry officer found out that 99 percent works in Akhnoor Block, 50 percent in Bhalwal block, 30 percent in Marh block and 40 percent in R.S.Pura block had been taken up on this pattern. He concluded that the practice is quote contrary and in-contravention to the standing government instructions and orders which have given power to grant technical sanctions to the Executive Engineer of the Regional Engineering Wing (REW).
He also brought to light the fact that different pattern had been adopted for allotment of works by the BDOs in different blocks. The inquiry officer found out that the procedure adopted for the execution of works was not in conformity with the laid procedure since not work can be allotted nor can funds be released till approval of plans, technical sanctions and administrative approval are not received.
Further, while the expenditure on the works was charged on March 31, 2003 against the bills but the payments had been made in the months of April and thereafter. Similarly, grains were charged on March 31, 2003 but were actually disbursed in the month of April and thereafter. This is blatant violation of codal formalities and procedure, the inquiry officer has concluded.
Citing an example, the inquiry officer has said that in Purmandal Block, grains had been charged on March 31, 2003 but had not been lifted by VLWs upto April 16, 2003. The then Block Development Officer (BDO) when questioned put the blame on the labourers saying that they were not willing to lift these grains. He stressed that the then ACD F.C.Bhagat allowed the BDOs to issue these foodgrains meant for a specific programme to some other works.
Following this, the BDO claimed that he issued 89.47 quintals of wheat to a mate namely Rajinder Singh through Naib-Sarpanch Khana Chadgal Panchayat against proper receipt. However, this grain was seized by Bari Brahmana Police on the Kunjwani road. An FIR was lodged against the Naib-Sarpanch and Mate Rajinder Singh. Similar was the case in other blocks.
Inquiry officer did not hesitate in saying that the then BDOs of Vijaypur, Marh, Akhnoor and R.S.Pura have taken up works without technical sanction and administrative approval. These BDOs in contravention of rules entertained the estimates prepared and checked at the JEs level for taking up works and making payments of the same upto Rs. 60, 000. They had to get these duly certified from the executive engineer and only then these were valid for payment. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
