Committee on Public Undertakings (PUC) of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today directed the PWD to reconstitute a Technical Committee to conduct inquiry into the process of allotment of work for construction of RCC Bridge at Ganpat Doda.The Committee, which met under the Chairmanship of MLA, Sat Paul Sharma examined the CAG’s Audit paras pertaining to the Jammu & Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) besides reviewing the overall working of the Corporation.Legislators, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, Mohammad Khalil Bandh, Abdul Majid Larmi, Raja Manzoor Ahmed, Rajeev Sharma, Rajesh Gupta and Vikram Randhawa attended the meeting.The Committee directed the meeting to look into the loopholes, if any, in the process for allotment of work related to the construction of RCC Bridge at Ganpat Doda and submit its report to the Chief Secretary by June 15, 2018 for scrutiny.The Committee also held threadbare discussions on CAG’s Audit Para 4.3.2 for the year of 2010-11 regarding allotment of work without inviting tenders and payment of unsecured interest free mobilization advance to the Contractor which resulted in undue favour to contractor and interest loss of Rs 1.64 crore and CAG’s Audit Para 5.5 for the year 2015-16 regarding incurring of expenditure in excess of approved estimates.
The members of the Committee also stressed upon the concerned authorities to expedite working on all ongoing projects including bridges, buildings being executed by the Corporation in the state so that the general public does not suffer because of undue delays and that people are benefitted from the developmental projects launched for their welfare and convenience.The Chairman of the Committee directed the higher authorities of PWD department to ensure to take local Legislators in loop on various developmental projects being undertaken in their constituencies. The committee asked the department to ensure invite to local legislators during foundation/inauguration events for assets being developed in their areas.The Chairman also directed the concerned authorities to submit detailed replies to the Committee on enquiries raised and submit the same in a timely manner.Commissioner Secretary, PWD, Sanjeev Verma and Managing Director, JKPCC, Vikar Mustafa Shanthu briefed the Committee about the action taken by the department on the observations made by CAG in its Audit Paras pertaining to the Corporation besides the present status of all ongoing projects and schemes of the Corporation.Deputy Accountant General, Audit, V K Bakshi also briefed the Committee regarding the observations made by the CAG in its report and apprised them on measures being adopted to further improving the working of the Corporation.Among others, Special Secretary, Assembly, R L Sharma, Additional Secretary, Assembly, Naseem Jan, senior officers of PWD, JKPCC and Assembly Secretariat were also present in the meeting.