VB initiates probe into city beautification project

VB initiates probe into city beautification project
BMC officials yet to place records before sleuths
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 22
The controversy over the execution of a much-hyped Rs 40-crore worth city beautification project has brought the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities under the scanner of the Vigilance Bureau (VB), Bathinda range.
Receiving two complaints, one anonymous and other from social activist Ved Parkash Gupta, VB sleuths summoned all details and documents of the project from the BMC officials.
A highly-placed source in the VB, Bathinda range, said the BMC authorities were apparently unwilling to provide the documents as despite receiving the order followed by a reminder, the BMC officials had not come up with the record.
“The delay is increasing our suspicion. We will send one more reminder. Even if the officials do not produce all required details, we are firm on taking action against all officials concerned,” a VB official said.
It may be mentioned that the tenders of the project were opened on January 24, 2008, and the construction work was initiated after Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia laid more than a dozen foundation stones under the project on February 18, 2008. The project included re-carpeting of almost all roads and main streets, development of parks, work on storm water system, streetlights and beautification of the city.
To execute the project, the BMC authorities, during the tenure of the then BMC Commissioner KK Yadav, had taken a loan of Rs 40 crore from the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB). The controversy had arisen since the day tender was opened as local contractors accused the BMC authorities of doing injustice to them. They had alleged that the terms and conditions of the tender were such that a small contractor could not comply with. Ignoring their allegations and objections, the tender was allotted to a construction company, said to be an outfit of a ruling SAD leader of Bathinda.
Besides the small contractors, city residents and councillors too had accused the authorities of corruption. They even accused the construction company of using sub-standard material in connivance with the BMC authorities.
Taking a step ahead, during a general house meeting, Krishan Kumar Garg, a councillor of the BMC, had openly accused the BMC staff of perpetuating percentage wise corruption in the project.
Confirming the details, SSP Vigilance Bureau, Bathinda range, Chaman Lal said, “We have initiated a probe and are waiting for the BMC authorities to submit the documents. Once the allegation is proved, everybody, irrespective of the designation, will have to face the music.”
BMC Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said, “I have no information about the VB inquiry. Moreover, the tender was allotted before I assumed charge, but I will ensure full cooperation with the VB officials.”