No action as Govt still examining report of fact finding committee framed in 2018 ; Probe into Mughal Road scam of 2012 yet to be concluded

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

Diversion of funds, mismanagement, irregularities in JKPCC

JAMMU, APRIL15:- Shocking it may sound but it is a fact that Government is still examining the report of a fact finding committee, which was constituted way back in the year 2018 to look into diversion of funds, mismanagement and irregularities in Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC).

Moreover, probe into the much-highlighted Mughal Road project scam is yet to be concluded although the then Chief Engineer has already retired from the Government service.

Vide Order No.1690-GAD dated November 28, 2018 the Government constituted a fact finding committee to look into the affairs of J&K Projects Construction Corporation Limited. The committee headed by Principal Secretary to the Government, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department and comprising of Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Commissioner/ Secretary Revenue Department and MD JKPCC was asked to look into the manner of awarding contacts to contractors often on a nomination basis, without following transparent tendering procedures.

Further, the mandate of the committee was to look into diversion of funds from one project to another leading to a large number of incomplete projects whose funds have been received but diverted elsewhere; irregularities in appointments at various levels, including that of the Managing Director; inefficiency in functioning and huge time and cost overruns in project implementation and reasons of estimates for construction being much higher than those of PWD.

The committee was asked to submit its report/recommendations to the Government by December 26, 2018.

Now, when status of the implementation of the report/recommendations of the fact finding committee was sought, the Government said, “the committee has submitted its report, which is under examination”. What purpose the findings of the committee will serve now after more than six years remains a million dollar question.

“Further, the examination of report after such a prolonged delay is a futile exercise especially in the light of the fact that Government has already initiated the exercise to wind up J&K Projects Construction Corporation Limited”, official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding “the committee, in its report, had pointed out large-scale irregularities in the operation of the Corporation and mentioned that operations were riddled with ad hoc functioning and there was absence of rules and systematic procedures”.

They further said, “due to delay in action on the report of the fact finding committee all those officers, who left no chance to loot the resources of Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited, have remained unpunished”, adding “because of reasons best known to those who were supposed to act immediately on the report of the committee the objective behind ascertaining facts vis-à-vis functioning of JKPCC stands defeated”.

Meanwhile, probe into Mughal Road project scam has yet not reached logical conclusion although the then Chief Engineer has already superannuated from the service on April 30, 2022. The scam took place in the year 2012 when the then Chief Engineer Mughal Road Project by abuse of his official position and in lieu of criminal conspiracy with the beneficiary company exceeded his powers/competence and accepted the terms and conditions of contractor which formed the basis of the award by Arbitration Tribunal dated 28.03.2019.

“The undue benefit was given to the company with the extension of time for which no prior order/communication stands issued, besides prevented imposition of liquidation of damages to the tune of crores of rupees on the company for its inability to complete the project in the stipulated time etc”, sources said.

“So far as initiation of departmental action is concerned, the then Chief Engineer against whom FIR has been registered superannuated from service on April 30, 2022 and investigation by the agency concerned is still underway”, the Government has mentioned in the latest official document.