♦ Govt should withhold payment for works done beyond the specified area
♦ Funds diverted, should be recovered from concerned staff
A scandal involving the mismanagement and arbitrary diversion of funds earmarked for road maintenance has rocked the Sunderbani area of Nowshera division, eliciting concern from both locals and authorities. The controversy, characterized by unauthorized works and neglect of designated repairs, has sparked demands for immediate action to address the situation and safeguard public resources.
Key Allegations
The furor centers around the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Public Works (R&B) Department, Subdivision Sunderbani, who is accused of permitting a contractor to conduct maintenance works on a road segment not specified in the tender notification. Despite this deviation from official protocols, no disciplinary action has been taken against the implicated department officials.
Misuse of Funds
Initial reports indicate that the maintenance works were intended for the 1st to 17th-kilometer stretch of the Later Devak Hathal road. However, it is alleged that the contractor, purportedly enjoying the favor of department officials, carried out the works on the 22nd to 23rd-kilometer stretch, utilizing Rs 40 lakhs from the allocated funds. This expenditure occurred even though the funds were specifically provided by the company responsible for laying Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) on the 1st to 17th kilometer stretch.
Abuse of Machinery and Resources
Locals have raised concerns regarding the use of heavy machinery, particularly JCB machines, for digging works along the road. Such practices, they argue, exacerbate damage to the road surface and are in violation of established guidelines, which stipulate manual excavation for cable laying. Allegations suggest that the AEE permitted the use of JCB machines, exploiting his position for personal gain.
Community Outcry and Call for Action
Residents of Panchayat Devak and neighbouring hamlets, adversely affected by the lack of road maintenance, have voiced their grievances. They highlight extensive damage incurred during the laying of telephone cables in late 2022 to early 2023, emphasizing the department’s failure to address resulting road and drainage system deterioration. Urging authorities to take immediate action, they demand a halt to unauthorized works and prompt repairs to the designated road sections.
The revelations of irregularities in road maintenance underscore the pressing need for transparency and accountability in public works projects. As investigations unfold and public outcry intensifies, the onus lies on authorities to swiftly address the situation and ensure the proper utilization of state funds for the benefit of all stakeholders. Only through decisive action can trust be restored, and the integrity of public infrastructure projects upheld.
