SATISH HANDA
Fraud worth Rs 46 crore detected in construction of International Football Stadium in War Heroes Memorial Sports Stadium Ambala Cantt attracted headlines in newspapers for a long time in which cost of the project was revised three times as Rs 117 crore as against Rs 40 crore offered in the tender initially with large number of other of embezzlements in this project by PWD (B&R) officers, besides the rate of steel used in the project was revised to Rs 138 per kg from Rs 62 per kg as specified in the order.
Finding large number of embezzlements in this project Superintending Engineer recommended suspension of three engineers: Executive Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer handling this project. Surprisingly, the file sent to PWD head office Chandigarh for immediate action has been dumped suspected by senior officers of the department without any action in past over a month for the reason best known to them suspecting their involvement in irregularities and wanting to save alleged accuse. Information also reveals, this was a dream project of Home Minister Anil Vij and in-spite of intervene by Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Rustogy the file is hanging on fire without action and information indicates that two of the engineers involved in suspected fraud are being promoted.
Now another scam of value worth crores of rupees in project for construction of six storey Mini Secretariat at Ambala City has been exposed. Work on this project was started on September 26, 2019 at Ambala City on the place where District Session Courts earlier existed and has not been completed so far. Information reveals, large number of irregularities in purchase of steel and other raw materials used in construction as well as payments to the contractor has been detected in this project. According to preliminary investigation, as against 14974 quintal steel only 11251 quintal steel was received at the construction site but the payment was made for full quantity. Similarly, payment worth Rs 5.26 crore towards galvanized steel frames for doors and windows was made whereas no such material was received. Moreover, it was observed the officers supervising this project were seen extending extra favour to the contractor.
According to information, the construction work was started on September 26, 2019 and was to be completed by February 25, 2021 with a penalty clause in case of any delay, but only 40% construction work has been completed so far as on date as such penalty for amount worth Rs 2.68 crore has been imposed on contracting firm. Information also reveals that there is no raw material lying at the construction site, although payments worth crores of rupees have already been made by the department which is merely a neglect and lack of care towards monitoring the construction work by the supervising staff as well as officers and a video in this regard at the site was also prepared by the investigating team likely to cause heavy financial loss to the government as most of the payments towards purchase of raw material alleged procured on fake bills has already been made. The Executive Engineer in a report submitted on Januray 11, 2022 stated that only 60 Metric Ton steel was received at the site against 584 Metric Ton steel and payment for amount worth Rs 2.07 crore has already been released to supplier and a complaint in this regard has already been sent to head office.
