From Chief Engineer’s office to district level, high-level nexus operating in PWD department; Will Commissioner/Secretary PWD act?
SALIL RAINA
(POONCH TODAY NEWS)
POONCH/RAJOURI: Considered as “Malaidaar” department, a high level nexus is operating in PWD department, right from the office of Chief Engineer PWD to all districts offices of PWD in Jammu division and in this high profile nexus, PWD officials from JEs, AEs, to AEEs have been enjoying choicest postings. Some of the officials even staying in their home districts for years together and some even moves from one sub division to another in one district. This practice is going on in almost all the districts of Jammu division and Chief Engineer PWD office remained the major culprit by playing a major role in flourishing of this practice by scripting many behind the curtains crooked activities to favour all JEs, AEs, AEEs and X.ENs. Highly placed sources in Chief Engineer PWDs office told “POONCH TODAY” wishing anonymity, “Top level of PWD is working like a toll plaza where majority of officers are openly indulging in crooked activities and take choicest postings and almost, every officer, who wants choicest posting, is a part of this high profile nexus which is still operating in a silent way.” In many sub divisions and divisions of PWD in Poonch and Rajouri districts, influential PWD officials like JEs, AEs, AEEs have been enjoying a lot by staying in their parent districts for years together and this shows that they have become expert in scripting many scams since PWD is considered as an ocean of corruption and it’s difficult to measure its depth. Executive Engineer PWD Rajouri was approached by an RTI applicant to provide details to JEs and AEEs posted in Rajouri for years, but sensing trouble, Executive Engineer violated the RTI act. Similarly, X.En PWD Poonch also gave improper reply and this shows that both the Executive Engineers are protecting their tainted officials. Even S.E Rajouri, reportedly protecting his subordinates who are involved in such frauds. A retired officer from PWD, wishing anonymity, said, “Its difficult to detect a scam in PWD because engineers are so technically sound that common man cannot think of a scam in PWD even in its dream, but in reality, PWD is full of scams in Poonch and Rajouri districts” added “Imagine, if a camp clerk can earn in several lacs, then what would be the output of JEs, AEs, AEEs and X.ENs.” There are many cases which are exclusively available with “POONCH TODAY” in which a JE passes bill of a contractor who is his blood relation, in violation of rules. Similarly, few JEs were promoted as AE out of the way by a former Commissioner/Secretary PWD by taking money and this also points out towards a big fraud. A high level probe is needed into this unfair practice of choicest postings in PWD and those who are responsible for supporting this unethical practice must be brought to justice to set a transparent system of governance. Commissioner/Secretary PWD, who is known in bureaucracy for his efficient work culture needs to understand the gravity of the situation and he must shift all those JEs, AEs and AEEs, who have been enjoying postings in their home districts for decades. Will Commissioner/ Secretary PWD act? Only time will tell.
