Murtaza Mushtaq
Handwara, Oct 8 (GNS): Civil Society Mawar Handwara has filed an Right to Information (RTI) application seeking details into the proposed projects in the area even as alleging the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department of ‘misappropriation’ of funds released for public works in the area.
The RTI application, of which a copy is lying with GNS, filed by the Civil Society through a local social activist Firdous Shafi Mir, has sought details of several projects including; “Particulars of two times of repairment of SR at Qalamabad, Newly constructed SR at Shirhama Qalamabad, Nowgam SR without activation from 2017, SR for Drangsoo-Prangroo 2008, Prangroo-Audoora Pipeline distribution and Lower Mawar distribution (2½” – 1½” Pipes).”
A Civil Society member, wishing anonymity, alleged that “PHE department in connivance with contractors and other relevant persons have misappropriated public funds worth around 80-90 lacs over last four years now.”
The department concerned, as per the member, has shown the works on paper, “however nothing can be seen on the ground level.”
Meanwhile when contacted Executive Engineer PHE Handwara Zubair Ahmad told GNS that “Not one but the office has received several RTI applications asking to furnish the details of the works carried out over the last three to four years in Mawar area”, adding that “As such the office has sought all the concerned contractors, JEs and AEEs to report the office with complete details into the works carried out in each officials’ tenure within a week.”
“The RTIs filed in this regard will be disposed off after due process by the office and all necessary details furnished to the relevant stakeholders thereafter positively”, the official said. (GNS)
