Multiple inquiries in purchase of benches scam eyewash

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Fatehabad, October 22

Multiple inquiries have been ordered in the purchase of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) benches at exorbitant prices for various villages at the end of the terms of the outgoing panchayats.

While ADC Rajesh Jogpal is already holding an inquiry on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner NK Solanki, Roshan Lal, a Deputy Director rank officer sent by the Development and Panchayat Department has also started his inquiry and visited various villages.

On the other hand, Rajesh Koth, DDPO, claimed that he had already ordered recovery of the excessive amount after holding an inquiry.

The Tribune had highlighted this issue in a story - Scam to fore in purchase of benches by Panchayat Dept - in these columns on September 3 showing how over 2,500 benches had been purchased for an exaggerated price between Rs 8,400 to Rs 10,500 each. An inquiry conducted by BDPO Anubhav Mehta following a complaint at the CM Window had revealed that the actual cost of the benches is only Rs 3,000.

The scam had come to light when Manoj Chandel, an RTI activist from Bhirdana village, approached the CM Window with his complaint that the benches had been purchased for varying prices for different villages.

“I have recorded the statements of some village secretaries yesterday. However, after coming to know that the department has also sent an official, I am writing to the DC to let the other official continue to avoid multiplicity of probes,” Jogpal informed.

Lal could not be contacted for his comments. However, Koth said he had already directed the BDPO’s to start recovery of excessive money under Section 53 of the Panchayati Raj Act by taking the base price as Rs 6,757 per piece.

“Two SDOs had assessed the price as Rs 7200 and Rs 5000 respectively. I have taken Rs 6757 since this is the price for which benches have been purchased by the panchayat at Bhodi village,” he said. Demanding a high- level inquiry, Chandel, said when benches were available for Rs 2000 each in the open market, recovery at the rate of Rs 6757 is merely an eyewash.