Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma today said that an inquiry has already been ordered into the irregularities allegedly committed in the ‘utilization’ of funds worth crores in the Communicative Capacity Development Unit (CCDU) of the PHE department and the guilty will be punished.
“Let the inquiry be held, Doodh ka Doodh, Pani ka Pani Samne Aa jayega. A committee headed by a sitting Chief Engineer is holding inquiry into the matter, whosoever has done wrong has to face the consequences,” the minister told House.
This issue was raised during Question Hour in the Legislative Council by the NPP member Sayed Rafiq Shah. The member pressed for setting up of House Committee to inquire into the bungling worth crores allegedly committed in the CCDU wing of the PHE in last several years. He alleged that Central funds worth crores were swindled and went into the pockets of some people and officers. The truth should be known to all and guilty people at the top should not go scot free. NC member Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy raised supplementaries.
As the Chairman rejected framing of House Committee, the Rafiq Shah staged sit-in (protest) in the Well of the House for some time. He shouted that it was great injustice to him. “Ye Insaniyat Ka Katal Hai, …. Ye House Ka Katal Hai, Ye Mera Katal Hai, Janabe Walla….., Ye Garib Awam Ka Katal Hai….” and so on. However, NC member Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy requested him to stop it and pulled him to his seat.
Earlier, giving details, the minister claimed that when he took over the charge as PHE, I&FC minister he had no knowledge about any CCDU wing in his department. He said even many of his officers were not aware about it of its full abbreviation. When concerned staff members including Executive Director were asked about the details of funds utilization or awareness meets held in last 4-5 years, there was no satisfactory reply. It was established that flow of funds in crores came from the Centre under the scheme in last several years but there appeared to be something fishy. So, he ordered an inquiry in to the matter and Chief Engineer was asked to head the probe. He said let the committee complete its work, the action will be taken in this regard.
Replying to another question, the minister said department has no knowledge about the relation of Executive Director CCDU and former Minister of PHE. However, a retired Chief Engineer was reemployed as ED in CCDU on the recommendation of The Water Sanitation & Support Organisation vide Govt Order No. 340-PW (Hyd) of 2011 dated 8-9-2011. He disclosed that name of the executive director is Mir Najeebullah. He said that the officer gave resignation after he ordered inquiry. But his resignation has not been accepted till the inquiry is over.
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