Municipal Council Rajouri Faces Allegations of Corruption, RTI Reply Still Awaited; EO Questions Basis of Report

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL 

RAJOURI, JUNE 03:-Serious allegations of corruption, financial irregularities and violation of a High Court order have surfaced against the Municipal Council (MC) Rajouri, even as an RTI applicant claims that the authorities have failed to provide information sought under the Right to Information Act within the stipulated period.

Shafqat Wani, stated that he had submitted an RTI application to the Public Information Officer (PIO), Municipal Council Rajouri, seeking certified copies of records related to the Lorry Adda contract, including allotment orders, details of pending liabilities and payments made by contractors. According to him, the hard copy of the RTI application was duly submitted in the office, but no information has been furnished so far despite the passage of the statutory period.

In a reminder addressed to the PIO, Wani stated that if the requested information is not provided immediately, he will be compelled to file a First Appeal before the competent Appellate Authority under the provisions of the RTI Act.

The applicant has alleged that despite a High Court order regarding the Lorry Adda/Commercial Vehicle Entry Fee Collection Contract, the tender process was allegedly floated and allotment made in violation of the court directions. He further claimed that liabilities amounting to crores of rupees are pending under the contract and that the contract was allegedly allotted to defaulting contractors.

IiThe allegations also include alleged mismanagement and possible misappropriation of public funds. It has been alleged that substantial amounts are being withdrawn every month in the name of diesel and petrol expenses for official vehicles, while thousands of rupees are reportedly collected monthly under sanitation-related schemes without adequate transparency and accountability. Questions have also been raised regarding the issuance of building and site plans, with allegations that proper scrutiny and checks are not being followed.

Wani alleged that Municipal Council Rajouri has become a hub of corruption and demanded a thorough investigation into the functioning of the department. He further stated that he contacted the Executive Officer (EO) of MC Rajouri through WhatsApp and official email regarding the RTI reminder and the allegations raised.

According to Wani, when a copy of the report and related communication was forwarded to the Executive Officer through WhatsApp, the officer initially responded, “Okay, I will go through it and reply accordingly. These days busy with Census 2027.” Wani thereafter requested the officer to provide his official statement regarding the allegations raised in the report.

However, when approached again for comments, the Executive Officer replied through WhatsApp, “What statement?? You have already shared this fake news?” According to Wani, despite repeated requests seeking the department’s version, no detailed written clarification or official response regarding the allegations was received from the Executive Officer till the filing of this report.

A copy of the High Court order pertaining to the Lorry Adda/Commercial Vehicle Entry Fee Collection Contract has also been attached by the applicant in support of his allegations. The order indicates that the matter is sub judice and that certain interim directions had been issued by the Hon’ble High Court.

The issue has sparked concern among local residents and civil society members, who have demanded greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Municipal Council Rajouri. Many residents have urged the administration to make all records related to contracts, payments, liabilities and expenditure public in order to dispel doubts and ensure public confidence in the institution.
Several citizens have appealed to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take cognizance of the allegations and order a time-bound, impartial inquiry into the matter. They have demanded the constitution of a high-level investigation team to examine the alleged irregularities in the Lorry Adda contract, financial transactions, fuel expenditures, sanitation-related collections and other issues raised in the complaint.

The residents further stated that if any wrongdoing is established during the course of the investigation, strict action should be taken against those found responsible in accordance with law. They emphasized that transparency, accountability and adherence to judicial directions are essential for maintaining public trust in government institutions.

The allegations made by the RTI applicant have not been independently verified. Municipal Council Rajouri has not issued any detailed official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, all allegations remain subject to verification by the competent authorities, and the matter is expected to attract wider public attention in the coming days.