Multilevel car parking, commercial complex on temple land
JDA VC in dock for concealing facts
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 7: The Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) for multilevel car parking and commercial complex on the land of Panjvaktra Mahadev Temple in old Jammu city was floated by the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited on the request of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) without the approval of the Board of Jammu Smart City Limited.
Moreover, the Vice-Chairperson of the Jammu Development Authority had concealed the facts about floating of the tender from the Board headed by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, who happens to be its Chairman.
These startling revelations have come to the fore from the communication addressed by Deputy Commissioner Jammu and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jammu Smart City Limited Sushma Chauhan to Vice-Chairperson of Jammu Development Authority Babila Rakwal, the copy of which has also been forwarded to Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department for information and necessary action.
While referring to the letter of the Vice-Chairperson of the JDA addressed to Suresh Sharma, Retd Sessions Judge and Caretaker of Panjvaktra Mahadev Temple, the Deputy Commissioner Jammu-cum-CEO Jammu Smart City Ltd said, “you (VC JDA) have attributed the project of setting up of parking near the temple and tender invited by NHIDCL, to the CEO Jammu Smart City Ltd”.
“It is a matter of record that the Board of Jammu Smart City Limited, which is headed by the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, in its 6th meeting held on June 20, 2020 deliberated on the agenda item pertaining to the development of a parking project on land bearing Khasra No.351 measuring 19 kanal and 8 marlas and Khasra No.353 measuring 17 marlas, the title of which belongs to the temple”, the CEO said in the communication, the copy of which is available with EXCELSIOR.
It was decided in the meeting dated June 20, 2020 that the modalities and the design of the project would be worked out by the JDA and the same would be put before the Board of Jammu Smart City Limited in its next meeting for further discussion and deliberation.
“Since the Board never met after that the matter has thus remained at the same stage till date as per the Jammu Smart City Limited records”, the CEO said, adding “it is shocking to learn now, through the controversy surrounding the issue, that the project was subjected to tendering vide NIT No.NHIDCL/AMLCP/Construction/2020 dated June 18, 2020—two days prior to the date of 6th meeting of Jammu Smart City Limited Board”.
Moreover, no mention was made by Vice-Chairperson JDA during the said meeting about the project already been tendered. “This apparently shows that the project either figures in JDA’s list of in-house projects probably under its own or Housing and Urban Development Department’s plan for development of parking in Jammu”, the CEO Jammu Smart City Limited said.
Through the communication the VC JDA has been asked to explain as to why facts have been misrepresented in the letter addressed to Caretaker of the temple. “In case, you still feel that this project belongs to Jammu Smart City Limited, you are requested to explain as to how the project was tendered two days prior to 6th Board meeting without any approval of the Board of Jammu Smart City Limited”, the CEO has asked the Vice-Chairperson of JDA.
The copies of the communication have been sent to Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, Divisional Commissioner Jammu (Chairman of Board of Directors of Jammu Smart City Limited) and Inspector General of Police Jammu (Board Member).
Moreover, the DGM NHIDCL has been asked to clarify as to who authorized him to float tenders regarding the parking project.
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