Attempt to divert sewage plant funds for office works thwarted

Funds allocated for completing a long-pending sewage treatment plant (STP) in Parwanoo, as per National Green Tribunal (NGT) directions, were misused for office works in Dharampur division of Jal Shakti Vibhag (JSV). The state government had released Rs 2 crore last year to complete the stalled project due to a funding shortage. However, instead of utilising these funds solely for the STP, officials floated seven tenders for unrelated construction works in the Dharampur division office.

These tenders, floated under the pretext of providing a sewage system to Parwanoo, included works such as electrical and sanitary installations, fixing doors and windows, structure stability work for a divisional store and disposal of excavated earth. They were advertised on January 13, with estimated costs ranging from Rs 1.48 lakh to Rs 1.98 lakh, all under Rs 2 lakh to possibly bypass higher scrutiny. The tenders were opened on January 27 but were not awarded.

The misappropriation attempt was halted when the Chief Engineer, South Zone, intervened. Upon reviewing the tenders, he observed that none of the proposed works fell under the scope of the sewage scheme for Parwanoo. A letter dated January 17 directed the superintending engineer to ensure that the funds were used strictly for the sewage project. The tenders were subsequently cancelled.

The sewage scheme, initiated under NGT orders, had already faced delays due to funding issues. Even after funds were sanctioned, officials attempted to divert them for non-budgeted expenses like office furnishing. This mismanagement further hindered the project’s progress.

Assistant Engineer Bhanu Uday confirmed that after missing its January 2022 deadline, the sewage treatment plant is now expected to be commissioned by March 31.