Pir Panjal Contractors’ Association Appeals to Dy CM for Transfer of XEN Thanamandi, Seeks Probe into Alleged Irregularities

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

FROM EDITOR DESK 

RAJOURI AUGUST 10:-The Pir Panjal Contractors’ Association has appealed to Deputy Chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir Surinder Choudhary to transfer the Executive Engineer (XEN), PWD (R&B) Division Thanamandi, and order an impartial inquiry into what the association has alleged are serious administrative and financial irregularities in the Division.

The controversy, according to contractors, has intensified since Er. Madan Gopal took charge as Executive Engineer of the PWD (R&B) Division Thanamandi. Contractors and sections of the public have raised questions over the functioning of the Division and have alleged a “dictatorial” attitude, administrative high-handedness, delays and lack of transparency in departmental affairs.

One of the major allegations pertains to an expenditure of approximately ₹1.85 lakh on fuel in a single month. The Contractors’ Association has urged the competent authorities to verify the vehicle logbooks, fuel vouchers, bills, movement registers and other relevant records to establish whether the expenditure was incurred strictly for official purposes and in accordance with financial rules.

The association has also alleged that contractors are facing unnecessary difficulties in their dealings with the department and has sought greater transparency in the processing of bills, allotment and execution of works, measurements, payments and other departmental procedures.

Contractors and local residents have further questioned the pace and quality of work being undertaken under the Division, particularly in view of the importance of PWD (R&B) in maintaining roads and other public infrastructure in the Thanamandi area.

While Shafqat Wani President Pirpanjal contractors Association has urged the Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) and other competent authorities to order a time-bound and impartial fact-finding inquiry into the allegations and, pending inquiry, consider the transfer of the incumbent XEN to ensure confidence among contractors and the public.

The association has demanded scrutiny of several aspects, including:
Alleged fuel expenditure, particularly the reported ₹1.85 lakh expenditure in one month; Vehicle logbooks, fuel vouchers and official movement records; Official tours and use of departmental vehicles; Tendering, allotment and execution of developmental works; Measurement Books, contractor bills and payments;
Pending works and alleged delays;
Complaints regarding alleged harassment or ill-treatment of contractors; Attendance and functioning of officers and staff;
Compliance with financial and procurement rules; and
Overall performance of the Division in meeting public infrastructure requirements.

The Contractors’ Association maintained that its demand is not against the department or any individual officer, but is aimed at ensuring transparent, accountable and professional functioning of the Division. It said genuine contractors should be treated with dignity and all departmental decisions should strictly follow established rules and procedures.

The association further maintained that the allegations should be verified through official records rather than hearsay. It said that if the allegations are found baseless, an impartial inquiry would clear the air, while if any irregularities are established, responsibility should be fixed as per law.

The controversy has now prompted contractors and members of the public to look towards the higher authorities for a decisive response. They have urged the administration to ensure that the PWD (R&B) Division Thanamandi functions efficiently and transparently in the larger public interest.

The allegations could not be independently verified, and the response of the concerned Executive Engineer/departmental authorities to the allegations is awaited.