Ex-Chief Engineer PWD son’s card cancelled, what about others?
Afterward the intervention of some whistle-blowers, the Public Works (R&B) Department cancelled an A Class Contractor card issued by the Ex Chief Engineer, PWD Jammu Ashok Kumar Kikloo in favour of his son, but the other cards issued by the same persons in violation of rules remained un-touched. The matter was taken up with the Director, J&K Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Anand Jain and Principal Secretary Public Works (R&B) Department by a whistle-blower, in the first week of February this year.
“In compliance to the directions issued by the Administrative Department vide no. PWD RDA/1/2022-01 PWD R&B Department (C.No. 132773) based upon the inquiry report of the DVO regarding the issuance of A Class contractor Card issued under registration number PWD (R&B)-J/A/12/2020-21 dated 02/01/2021 by Er. Ashok Kumar Kikloo, the then Chief Engineer, PW (R&B) Department Jammu in favour of firm belongs to his son i.e. Norzone Technos (OPC) Private Limited, Managing Director Mr. Gunjan Kokiloo Royal Nest Apartments, Trikuta Nagar, Sector 3(Extension) Jammu J&K UT in violation of SRO 122 dated 26th May 1992 and as per clause (5) of J&K Registration of contractors Act 1956, the A class Contractor card is hereby cancelled with immediate effect”, order no. CEJ/PS/Card/1367-1377, dated 28/02/2022 read.
It is noteworthy that Kikloo had allegedly issued hundreds of fake cards to the people during his tenure. These cards are mostly A Class Contractor. It is alleged that he used to issue cards in connivance with a big hotelier of Jammu city who is also in construction business and very close to a senior IAS officer. The need to inquire into the matter and cancel all the cards issued in violation of rules. “A huge bribe was paid in exchange of each card which was apparently issued in violation of rules”, sources said, adding that though a Chief Engineer is competent authority for issuing contractor cards, he/she cannot override the guidelines and violate the rules. The cancellation of orders issued by the administrative department is not a news thing, past prior to retirement of Ashok Kumar Kikloo, he issued transfer and posting orders of Draftsman and other officials, same were kept in abeyance by the higher authorities. It is pertinent to mention here that a case in JK ACB is pending against Kikloo, since 2017.
