Eyebrows raised over non-submission of measurement books for audit

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 26

In violation of rules, several employees have failed to submit the measurement books (an important record) back to the Municipal Corporation.

The objections have been raised in the audit report as the MC officials failed to submit their measurement books for audit.

According to the audit report prepared by the Local Fund Account, Punjab, it came to light that a number of measurement books have not been submitted back to the MC.

While checking the stock register of period between 1990 and 2013, the audit team found that the measurement books were issued to various employees, but they did not submit these books back.

It has raised many eyebrows, as these books, which have important details about the civil works being done by the engineers, were not provided for audit.

It is to be noted that the engineers also have to enter all measurements about the road carpeting, any kind of construction and other development works in these books.

Sources said the measurement books are not being filled by some officials. Besides, some officials also remain absent whenever any development work including carpeting of road is done, they said.

According to audit report of 2016-17, it is mandatory for the officials to submit these books back to the MC. If these books are not submitted, it is violation of the Municipal Account Code, 1930, as per the report.

The audit team also found that the stock register of measurement books is maintained by the superintendent. The audit officials instructed that this register be maintained by the secretary.

The objections were raised multiple times, but the officials concerned did not take any step to ensure the submission of measurement books back in MC record, as per the report.

Besides, objections have also been raised on some of those measurement books which have been submitted back to the MC as these have no book number and MC stamp. However, book number, page number and Municipal Corporation Ludhiana are required to be mentioned on each page of a measurement book.

The MC authorities have been given instructions to maintain measurement books in the right way, so that any misuse of these books can be avoided, the report states.

President of the Council of RTI Activists Rohit Sabharwal, who obtained the copy of the audit report under the RTI Act, said it was a serious matter, as the measurement books were not submitted back to the civic body as per the audit report.