Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau has filed a case against a former project manager of SICOP Kashmir and others over illegal allotment of government work.
In a statement, issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that a joint surprise check was conducted by the ACB over allegations that work for construction of a drain at industrial estate Khrew was illegally allotted by the estates manager, SICOP to M/S Ubaid Rashid Wani at cost of Rs 108 lakh and further extended by adding huge quantum of work amounting Rs 263 lakh in violation to the laid down procedure.
The statement reads that the probe revealed that project manager SICOP, Kashmir issued off-line NIT, inviting bids from contractors for execution of work related to construction of the drain for an advertised cost of Rs 99 lakh in violation of rules.
“The work was allotted in favour of M/S Ubaid Rashid Wani for an amount of Rs 107 lakh despite him being not eligible. It was also found that the beneficiary contractor was eligible for allotment of contract amounting upto Rs 50 lakh only, the tone and tenor of the rules makes it clear that only class A contractor was eligible and entitled for allotment of the work. The project manager not only facilitated illegal allotment of work but also gave huge extensions in his favour amounting Rs 2,69,57,658 beyond the allotment cost of ₹107 lakh,” it reads.
It added that the project manager SICOP Kashmir under well-knit conspiracy with proprietors of M/S Ubaid Rashid Wani, in lieu of pecuniary benefits, dishonestly and fraudulently by abuse of his official position, first invited participation of class B contractors in the NIT in violation to prevailing norms in order to facilitate participation of the beneficiary class B Contractor in the bidding process “He allotted work in his favour despite him being not eligible as per governing provisions and also favoured him with huge extensions beyond scope of allotment, thus conferred undue benefit upon himself and the beneficiary.”
It reads that these omissions and commissions by then project manager namely Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat of Awantipora, beneficiary proprietor of M/S Ubaid Rashid Wani namely Ubaid Rashid Wani of Srinagar and others constitute offences punishable U/S 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and Section 120-B IPC.
The statement reads that accordingly, case FIR NO.05/2024 stands registered at ACB police station Anantnag, and investigation was set into motion.
“Immediately after registration of the instant case search warrant was obtained from special judge anti-corruption court Pulwama and searches were conducted simultaneously at multiple locations. During searches, some incriminating documents were found and seized on spot. Further investigation of the case is going on,” it added—(KNO)
