Pir Panjal Contractor Association alleges discrimination by Waqf Board & Kashmir based Engineers.

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

SHYAM SOOD

==Rules made for Works Department not applicable on Waqf Board: Alleged Association.

==Work allotted by Waqf Board stopped midway: Contractor approach J&K Grievance Cell

RAJOURI, AUGUST 18 :–Members of Pir Panjal Contractor Association (Rajouri) have castigated Kashmir based engineers and Administration of J&K Waqf Board for alleged discrimination with local contractors of Rajouri district.

Contractors said that on Friday Chairperson JK Waqf Board, also MoS, inaugurated two newly constructed guest houses-named Hazrat Fatima-tu-Zehra (AS) & Baba Ghulaam Shah Badshah (RA)-at the complex of Ziarat Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah (R.A) at Shahdara Sharief.
Contractor alleged that both the projects were executed by the Waqf Board unit Rajouri without calling any tenders which is a violation of norms & rules of J&K Govt order of 2019 (by Lt Governor).
Contractors also alleged that at present several developmental projects are under execution without calling any tenders at Shahdara Sharief being taken up by J&K Waqf Board under the supervision of Ex En Tariq Kallu and under the direction /approval of Chairperson Waqf Board.
Contractors alleged that in the past two tenders were allotted to the contractors through the tendering process.
One project was stopped by the Waqf Board authorities midway and remaining work was taken up by the department and was given to blue eyed contractors against the laws & norms.
The contractor (Shafqat Wani) alleged that the Administrator stopped the allotted work midway due to landslides and vide letter No JKWB-UR dt 12/2023 he approached Ex En for the change of the execution site but till date no response was received.
He alleged when the Chairperson was approached for an allotted contract which was stopped midway by the Administrator due to landslides, she said: “Waqf Board is not bound to any law/rule. The Waqf Board can cancel and call a fresh tender as it has separate laws/rules.”
“This attitude of the Chairperson with the contractors has put a question mark on the government’s claims of transparency and good governance,” he said.
Shafqat alleged the tenders were allotted to him under rules, but Chairperson, Ex En, and Administrator have no respect for rules and without calling any fresh tender(s) and by violating Govt order of 2019 are executing remaining work through the department.
All claims of transparency of BJP led/NDA government in construction line are totally false and baseless, alleged President Contractors Association.
“ Waqf Board Shahdara purchasing material/items worth crores of rupees from the market-including tiles, marbles, doors, windows, air conditioners, invertors, batteries etc-without following rules of tenders/quotations, which is matter of investigation by competent authorities to break the nexus,” said Gen Secretary of Contractor Association.

Pir Panjal Contractor Association has appealed to Director vigilance ,ADGP Crime J&K, and CBI to investigate the misappropriation of public funds and check mismanagement of Waqf Board which has crossed all limits of corruption.
Shafqat Wani vide his Grievance ID 999005176776 dt 1/7/2024 has also approached J&K online grievance cell and requested to resolve the issue.
Shafqat was allotted construction of police post at Shahdra Sharief vide allotment No.JKWB/JMU/ENGG/WORK/24-29 dt 29/7/2023 by Administrative Approval accorded by J&K Waqf Board Unit Jammu.
After execution of some initial work the work was stopped due to landslides and Wani requested the concerned engineering wing of Waqf Board & Administrator Shahdra Sharief for change in drawing or provide new land.
Wani alleged the manager Waqf Board Unit Rajouri playing foul play and pursuing higher authorities for re-tendering so that work can be allotted to his blue eyed.
To get justice, Wani has approached the J&K Grievance cell.
(Inputs by Shafqat Wani).