SATISH HANDA

Three PWD Engineers  Nishant Kumar Executive Engineer, Puneet Mittal Assistant Engineer and and Rajesh Tanwar Junior Engineer allegedly involved in nearly Rs 46 crore fraud in construction of international level football stadium in War Heroes Memorial Stadium Ambala Cantt have been suspended on the order of Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Rustogy.

Investigation in construction of 117 crore dream project of Home Minister Anil Vij in which large number of embezzlements of value worth Rs 46 crore were detected and during controversy going on in this regard it has been observed few technical lapses due to neglect on the part of concerned engineers during construction as such building has been declared unsafe. A departmental investigation has already been ordered.

During investigation it has been observed that only 13000 quintal steel was used in this project as against 33000 quintal claimed by the contractor. The initial project cost of tender finalized in 2017 was Rs 40 crore which was enhanced to Rs 115.16 crore by the year 2021. Not only this , fake bills of value worth crores of rupees were alleged paid by the concerned officers without receipt of material or paid on much higher rates.  Information also reveals that order for steel was given at the rate Rs 62 per kg,  whereas payment was made  at the rate Rs 138 per kg.

Surprisingly, no action was taken by the head office Chandigarh and file remained dumped without any action for about four months  by the senior bureaucrats in the department although they were aware of  embezzlements in this project and action started when Home Minister Anil Vij and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala intervened into the matter to take stern action against all alleged accused responsible for embezzlements. There is possibility of several other officers and staff in the department may be trapped in vigilance net. According to information, mean while the Superintending Engineer recommended suspension of three engineers involved in embezzlements was transferred and Sukhbir Singh took charge. Home Minster Anil Vij said, all those involved in this scam will not be spared at any cost. However, recovery of such a huge amount in this fraud will be a big challenge for the government