KL Report
SRINAGAR
Minister for Transport and CA&PD Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan Friday reiterated that huge embezzlement of funds have taken place in ‘Marsari-Pachkoot’ scheme and the officials of PHE are directly involved in it. He said that he will pursue the matter till guilty are not punished.
“Marsari-Pachkoot Water scheme was supposed to benefit to 65,000 inhabitants of 35 villages of Ramhal Block of district Kupwara. PHE department was supposed to spend Rs 5 crore 87 lakh under this scheme but I am telling you with authority not a single penny was spent for the benefit of the people while the amount was embezzled by the officials of the department,” Ch Ramzan told CNS adding that delay in enquiry makes it clear that all is not well.
He claimed that non water pipes have been laid in Ramhal Block. It is irony that Chief Engineer backed his officials who are allegedly involved in fraud. Enquiry was supposed to get completed within a fortnight but after a year, the Chief Engineer informed me that it is going on. What does this indicate? Being the public representative, I have right to seek explanation from administrative officials,” he said adding that he is in touch with the PHE Minister to get the matter thoroughly probed.
The Minister said that he has taken up the matter with Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Director Vigilance Commissioner, Principal Accountant General J&K and Speaker Legislative Assembly and have requested them to probe the ‘fraud’ thoroughly.
“Guilty needs to be exposed and I will leave no stone-unturned to expose the Engineers-contractor nexus. They embezzled all the funds that were meant for the Ramhal Block,” he said.
