‘Compromising QC, Govt Deptts take direct supplies’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 26: Compromising quality control (QC) and in sheer violation of standing Govt guidelines, various Government department are indulging in direct supply of key construction material like steel, cement and bitumen etc worth hundreds of crores, bypassing the agencies like SICOP, JAKFED and State Procurement Department for the past some time in the J&K state.
Addressing a press conference here today president, Chamber of Traders Federation (CTF), Jammu, Neeraj Anand said that this practice was going on in the Stage for the last about three years but it is surprising to note that even under Governor’s rule this mode remained unchanged. These procurement wings of the Government have been made `nearly defunct’ with no work with the officials placed there and the high commission worth crores is going directly into the pockets of some people at the helm of affairs. The matter is needed to be deeply investigated, he added.
Anand said CTF received many inputs from respective Companies and Transport Associations about blockage of payments, business loss besides apparent change in policies to bypass all checks and balances.
Elaborating further Neeraj said, our State which falls in Seismic Zone- 5 category, is prone to calamities. The `under current’ system, may result in raising weak structures in the absence of quality control in construction material. Stores Procurement Department which was acting as nodal agency for procurement and supplying material like steel, cement, bitumen etc. to various Government departments like R&B, PWD, Irrigation and Flood Control engaged in executing important Government projects like bridges, culverts, buildings, roads, overhead tanks, hospitals, colleges etc, ensured safety parameters are followed to satisfactory levels. However, with suspension of SPD’s functioning, the only Government department involved in bulk procurement has apparently resulted in undermining Quality Control and has also badly affected the economy of Jammu region by making large section of self employed population like transporters, handling agencies, labour contractors, local dealers totally idle.
Anand sought intervention of Governor and requested him to review the current processes of procurement of key construction material by the Government Departments.
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