RS. 2.62 LAKH FINANCIAL LOSS WAS CAUSED TO THE STATE EXCHEQUER IN CONNIVANCE WITH CONTRACTOR AND NAGAR COUNCIL CONCERNED EMPLOYEES OF MANSA
Face2News/Mansa/Chandigarh
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), as part of its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has been registered a criminal case against a road construction contractor and concerned employees of the Nagar Council Mansa for causing a financial loss of ₹2.62 lakh to the state exchequer through the use of substandard materials in road construction and misappropriation of funds.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the case has been registered based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Ward No. 5, New Kacheri Road, Mansa.
Giving details, the spokesperson informed that the Mansa Municipal Council had floated a tender for the repair of the road stretching from ‘Gagowal-wali Gali’ on New Kachehri Road, Mansa, up to the municipal boundary at Mansa Khurd. Work commenced following the issuance of the work order by the Council. However, instead of repairing the entire stretch covered by the tender, only the section of the road from ‘Gagowal-wali Gali’ towards Chhoti Mansa was newly constructed.
He added that a committee constituted with the orders of the Deputy Commissioner of Mansa to conduct a physical inspection of the road. Laboratory reports of the samples collected during this inspection revealed that the material used lacked the required compressive strength. Furthermore, an inspection report prepared by the Executive Engineer, Punjab Mandi Board, Bathinda, indicated that the rates actually applied for the work were significantly higher than government-approved rates, leading to an overpayment of ₹2.62 lakh.
The spokesperson stated that substandard material was used during the road construction due to collusion between the concerned Municipal Council concerned officials and the contractor, resulting in a deliberate financial loss to the state exchequer.
In this regard, a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused officials and the contractor at the VB Police Station, Bathinda. Further investigation into the case is under progress.
Punjab
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