Cowshed ‘scam’: RTI activist points finger at legislator

Tribune News Service

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Jammu, May 11

An alleged scam in the construction of a cowshed in the border town of Akhnoor has come to the fore. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Akhnoor, to conduct inquiry into the scandal.

“The matter was brought to my notice by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Akhnoor, who has already asked the SDPO concerned to conduct an inquiry,” said Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan.

RTI activist Sunil Sharma alleged that water supply pipes were used to erect the cowshed.

“Local BJP MLA Rajeev Sharma has sanctioned Rs 15 lakh from his Constituency Development Fund for the cowshed,” the RTI activist said, adding, “using water supply pipes for construction of a cowshed is in violation of rules.”

He alleged that some government officials had tried to bribe him so as to ‘hush up’ the matter. “I have already informed the police about the attempt by some officials to bribe me,” he said, pointing a finger of suspicion at the local MLA.

He said it would not have been possible to use the water pipes without his consent.

As per reports, the construction of the cowshed was started in February this year and the local MLA had allegedly authorised the executing agency to get water pipes from the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, which are exclusively meant for supplying drinking water.