‘Officers be also made accountable for this malpractice’
Avtar Bhat / Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Feb 12: Members across the party lines today expressed their grave concern over allotment of works to contractors quoting rates below 60 percent to 80 percent of sanctioned scheduled. Terming it bizarre, they said this way it is totally impossible to maintain quality and standard of work.
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The issue was raised by many MLAs during the debate on grants of Ministries under Dy CM, Surinder Choudhary in UT Assembly today. The BJP MLA from Samba and senior party leader, Surjit Singh Salathia, Congress MLA from Rajouri, Iftiqar Ahmed, BJP MLA from Billawar, Satish Sharma, BJP’s Sunil Bharadwaj from Ramnagar and Independent MLA from Surankote Choudhary Akram expressed their concern over allotment of works on low rates to contractors at the cost of quality of work in the engineering departments.
They wondered how the contractor can execute a work which as per the market rates can be executed at an estimated cost of Rs one lakh on Rs 40,000 by offering 60 percent below rate than the sanctioned Schedule of the Government. This breeds corruption as quality of work is not maintained at any cost, they added.
Demanding drastic action against such contractors, they said such a step will be a warning for others and standard of works will not get compromised this way.
Satish Sharma of BJP demanded that a system be framed and the contractors be made accountable so that the standard of executing the work is maintained as the low tendering breeds the corruption. BJP’s Surjiit Singh Salathia however said besides contractors action needs to be taken against the officers for this malpractice and if one or two officers responsible for the same are made accountable, this malpractice can be stopped.
Iftikar Ahmed also demanded that this malpractice be looked into thoroughly . He asked how a work that is estimated executed at an approximate cost of Rs one crore can be with furnished on Rs 40 lakh after a contractor quotes 60 percent below the rate. This needs thorough examination so that this precedence may not exist in future and corrupt elements get discouraged.
The MLAs also showed concern over mining near bridges or other structures. Satish Sharma said in his constituency mining is done 50 metres both on left and right side of Beni bridge and if this practice is not stopped there is every apprehension that this bridge may collapse.
Aijaz Jaan of NC representing Poonch Assembly Segment said in his area mining was closed one year back but two illegal crushers are still running and this needs to be probed.
Surjit Singh Salathia also showed concern over closure of industrial units in various areas of Jammu division including Samba , Bari Brahmana and Kathua. He said industry is the main source for employment generation and hence the industry needs to be given boost.
Saif-ud-Din Bhat of NC showed concern over the bad condition of rural roads and lanes saying R&B Department says that they have no machinery to macadamise the lanes while Rural Development Department undertakes construction of these lanes. He lauded former PM, Atal Behari Vajpayee for launching PMGSY road scheme in the country. The people have been benefitted a lot since then, he added. Highlighting the great role of SICOP he stressed on its revival for employment generation.
Shamima Firdose of NC expressed concern over sub standard quality of macadamisation which even does not last for more than two three days.
She said Habakadal bridge is totally under control of drug addicts and it should be freed from them as locals feel scared.
Aga Syed Muntizir, while terming his constituency abnormal demanded immediate construction of Humhama -Budgam road.
Aijaz Jan expressed concern over the harassment of poor people extracting material from nallahs for their livelihood while those using machines for illegal mining go scot free. He said that his constituency is 90 percent border belt and stressed on construction of road infrastructure there to link it with other parts of the UT. He also demanded construction of community bunkers in Panchayats near Zero Line
Dr Sunil Bhardwaj, BJP MLA from Ramnagar, drew attention towards awarding tenders at the lowest possible cost, which, he said, often leads to poor quality execution of projects on the ground.
He urged the Government to adopt a more pragmatic and efficient tendering process and to strictly blacklist contractors whose work fails to meet quality standards, violates defect liability periods, or delays project timelines.
Choudhary Akram, MLA Surankot, also sought a solution to the problem of poor quality works being executed because of allotment of tenders at the lowest possible rates. He said that due to non-release of payment of works, several projects are languishing in his constituency. He demanded revival of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and establishing industry in Rajouri-Poonch.
Highlighting poor condition of PMGSY roads, MLA Reasi, Kuldeep Raj Dubey demanded special attention to remote and backward areas in his constituency. He also demanded creation of new Division of PWD for Thakrakot and Sawlakote for ensuring maximum utilization of funds meant for developmental works in the areas.
Reyaz Ahmad Khan, MLA Shangus-Anantnag East Assembly Constituency, also highlighted poor condition of roads and demanded establishment of an Industrial Area in his constituency. He said that due to irrational ban on mining during the LG Administration in Jammu and Kashmir and consequent non-availability of mining material, it was not possible even to carry out works under MGNREGA. The MLA urged the Government to relax mining provisions for ensuring that local youth may get employment besides smooth supply of sand and gravels for construction works.
MLA Darhal, Javed Iqbal Choudhary listed the areas in his constituency which either lack road connectivity or extremely poor road conditions. He demanded revival of JKPCC, complete ban on allotment of contracts to non-locals, formulation of a policy for scientific and regulated mining, establishment of a skill university and skill and IT based industry in Poonch-Rajouri.
MLA Hiranagar, Vijay Kumar said that leasing out mining blocks to big players has deprived local youth from employment. Stressing for a complete check on illegal mining in Chadwal, Ujjh and other areas, he demanded stern action against the erring officials. He also alleged poor quality work in blacktopping of roads in his constituency.
MLA Rajpora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir listed a number of roads in his constituency which are required to be taken up for repair and improvement work. He also demanded construction of some bailey bridges and widening of old National Highway. Highlighting the poor condition of Lassipora Industrial Area, the MLA said that industrial waste from the units was damaging the crops in adjoining area.
MLA Lal Chowk Assembly Constituency, Sheikh Ahsan Pardesi highlighted several local issues related to Public Works (R&B) Department and demanded funds for early construction of some bridges and foot bridges in his constituency.
MLA Kangan, Mian Mehar Ali listed some projects in his constituency and urged the Dy Chief Minister to keep them at priority. He also demanded that youth operating tractors should be given relaxation in transporting mining material in Kangan area.
Independent MLA from Shpian Assembly segment, Shabir Ahmad Kullay pressed for a separate Mechanical Division in his constituency, saying inadequate machinery hampers snow clearance during winter.
He argued that consolidation of multiple wings into the R&B Department has slowed execution, leaving a large number of works pending.
He also proposed a circular road for Shopian town to ease traffic on the Mughal Road and accused contractors of violating mining norms, warning that unchecked extraction was damaging rivers and irrigation networks.
NC MLA from Zadibal Assembly constituency, Tanvir Sadiq flagged traffic congestion in Srinagar and called for a clear demarcation of responsibilities between the Srinagar Municipal Corporation and the R&B Department for road maintenance.
He stressed timely administrative approvals for seasonal projects and suggested capping allotment at 3 works per contractor to avoid delays.
Besides seeking revival of JKPCC, he demanded support for artisans, speedy GI tagging of local products, benefits for JK Cements employees and structured overseas skill training for youth.
NC MLA from Uri Assembly segment, Dr Sajad Shafi demanded enhanced NABARD funding, blacklisting of defaulting contractors and additional snow cutters along with a Mechanical Sub-Division for his constituency.
He sought clearance of pending PMGSY payments and a comprehensive mining policy to safeguard natural resources.
He also proposed that the Salamabad trade centre be handed over to the Government to boost border tourism.
BJP MLA from Basohli Assembly constituency, Darshan Kumar raised the issue of shifting of Mahanpur Sub-Division and demanded its restoration, saying it catered to 25 panchayats.
He also sought priority construction of the Mahanpur-Basohli road, a skill development centre and policy support for export of Basohli Pashmina under the Indo-EU trade deal.
He alleged that a stone crusher owned by a Himachal Pradesh resident on J&K land in Mashka area has been posing a threat to a Rs 100 crore power project and demanded fresh demarcation of land.
PC MLA from Handwara Assembly constituency, Sajjad Lone questioned the lowest-bid tender system, saying it affects quality and leads to cost overruns.
He called for revival of JKPCC, fair allocation of works and stronger safeguards for mining to protect resources for future generations.
NC MLA from Sonawari, Hilal Akbar Lone sought adequate funding and speedy completion of road and bridge projects in Sonawari besides revival of JKPCC.
Khursheed Ahmed, NC MLA from Gulabgarh demanded that two roads and three foot bridges damaged during Aug-Sept rains be constructed in his constituency. He also demanded that Mahore-Ghulabgarh road be improved. The culverts/small bridges over several Nallas on this road be raised. The MLA also demanded that his PMGSY roads be completed, ITI be sanctioned for Chassana and Mahore Dak Bungalow be upgraded.
Nazamuddin Bhat from Congress said that DyCM must take a general review with regard to delay on work of various R&B and PMGSY roads. The `gaps’ within the department needed to be plugged. There must be full utilization of the allocated funds for various projects and savings out of various tender works should be utilized in the same department for other work. The issues of pending forest clearances must be resolved and a mechanism needed to be devised for it. Many roads have been trapped in litigations and the public is suffering. One XEn is holding 2-3 charges and he is unable to perform. The vacant posts be filled up. Bhat also demanded Industrial Estate for in his constituency.
Mohan Lal Bhagat, BJP MLA from Akhnoor demanded improvement and upgradation of road from Suyya No.1 Akhnoor to Pargwal. He also demanded to improve the internal roads in Pargwal area even up to Mirpur Kona. Bhagat said the pace of work on Pargwal bridge over Chenab be expedited and ITI hub be created in Akhnoor so that school dropouts and other youth be diverted towards skill development. He also sought improvement of PWD Guest House at Akhnoor and ensure its proper use.
Th Randhir Singh, BJP MLA from Kalakote demanded upgradation of Channi Prat and several other roads in his area. He also demanded that about half a dozen roads of his constituency be constructed under PMGSY sector. All the roads and bridges of Kalakote and Sunderbani area, which were damaged during Aug-Sept rains be repaired. He demanded upgradation of Sunderbani Dak Bungalow and another at Syalsui. The MLA further demanded sanction of an ITI at Siot.
MLA Sheikh Khursheed (Ind/AIP), and NC MLA Arjun Singh Raju from Ramban mainly raised the demands of roads and bridges in their respective constituencies. Khursheed demanded sanction of six bridges including three motorable bridges in his constituency.
Pawan Gupta, MLA Udhampur pointed out some gaps in the funds and claimed that there was difference of Rs 335 crores. He stressed the need to give thrust on quality of work and bring reforms in the tender system. He said that for maintenance and defective roads adequate funds be allotted and contractors be penalized for the defective road works. He also projected some demands with regard to some pending roads and bridges of his area.
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