The contractors, who have executed different works in Block Development Office (BDO) Sunderbani, in district Rajouri are being forced to purchase iron information board (sing board) from the block office that too without any GR and receipt, paying cash to VLW, who despite being posted in Nowshera block, indulging in misappropriation of the material purchased in 2016-17 in Sunderbani block.
“These sing boards, were purchased under MGNREGA scheme in 2016-17. The incumbent BDO Sunderbani in an order issued on 10/10/2022 had directed the Technical Staff of Sunderbani block, deduct the cost of sign board from respective works”, said a contractor, whishing not to be named.
“Our PM and the LG JKUT talk about zero tolerance towards the corruption, but we are being forced to purchase signboard lying in block at exorbitant rates, that too without any proper receipt”, the contactor further said, adding that a village level worker (VLW), who was transferred in Nowshera block six months back from Sunderbani block, is selling the signboards to the contactors.
“Without his slip (purchase of board from block), the BDO doesn’t entertain your bill. Can you imagine a class-IV employee posted in another block can sale government material with ant GR or official receipt, the payment as per rules should be deduct from the bills of each works being done by the contactor on behalf of the block”, said another contactor, adding that they have asked the concerned Technical Staff deduct payment of signboard from their but instead of cash, but no one is bothered? “It seems the VLW has patronage of BDO Sunderbani, without BDO’s support a VLW can sell the signboard in cash”, the aggrieved contractor said, adding that there were more 130 signobard lying in block office Sunderbani for last 5-6 years, but since October last year, the singboards being sold at Rs 3500 for each board.
“It has been learnt that State Vigilance Oranisation (now ACB), has registered an FIR and case is under investigation for large scale purchase of material of rural development department, including these signboard. In other blocks of district Rajouri, these signboards, lying un-touched, but in Sunderbani, same are being sold against the cash, which smells something fishy”, he added. Raising question over the honesty of incumbent BDO Sunderbani, the contractor said that the BDO is using official accommodation, in Sunderbani, and she is also availing HRA benefits contrary to the rules. “We the contractor of Sunderbani block, appeal LG Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar to look into the loot of state exchequer and order a CBI probe into this matter”, he added.
