NCP-SP alleges contractor-officials nexus in multiple allegations of graft in PWD department
Among other allegations, the party has accused the PWD of sanctioning work of a new building of Pune's Sasoon hospital in 2020 to a contractor who was not fit technically, but who was lowest in bidding
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NCP-SP general secretary Sunil Mane (X/NCP-SP general secretary Sunil Mane)From submission of fake bills to lifting money from different agencies for a same road, and from bypassing finance department to sanctioning works to contractors by extending benefits, opposition Nationalist Congress Party (SP) on Monday alleged a nexus of officials and contractors in Public Works Department (PWD), causing losses to state exchequer.
Senior officials told The Indian Express that they have sought factual reports from the department on the allegations levelled by the opposition based on which further course of action will be decided.
“Rs 25.12 crore were lifted from the state treasury by submitting fake challans of tar use for the construction of two roads in Kolhapur district. The challans were cleared through a corrupt nexus of contractor Jitendra Singh and officials without submitting any details to the government. The evidence for the same have been submitted to the higher ups, but no action has yet been taken,” alleged NCP-SP general secretary Sunil Mane. Mane said that similarly, more than Rs 10 crore were lifted from central and state governments while claiming to be carrying out work on a 26-kilometre road in Khanapur tehsil of Sangl district.
The NCP-SP leader claimed that the CAG had pointed out that PWD officials have been taking certain amount from other departments in addition to their salaries for the services extended to these departments. “PWD works for other departments as well where they prepare designs of structures to be built, and it charges certain amount as fee. Despite no clearance from the finance department, the PWD officials pocketed 50 per cent of that money in addition to their salaries. This is a gross violation of rules and Rs 12 crore paid to these officials must be taken back,” he said.
Among other allegations, the party has accused the PWD of sanctioning work of a new building of Pune’s Sasoon hospital in 2020 to a contractor who was not fit technically, but who was lowest in bidding.
A senior official from the PWD said that if CAG has made any objection, then it will be duly noted. “It could be a problem of interpretation. If finance nod is necessary, then we will process the file with the finance department,” the official said.
Commenting on other allegations, the official said that a factual report from the divisional offices has been sought. “Once we get all the reports, we will be in a position to comment,” the official added.
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