Top RDD officers in Samba looted government exchequer on fake works; BDOs, Secy Pyts, JEs became crorepatis
Special Correspondent
(POONCH TODAY NEWS)
SAMBA: Rural Development Department Samba remained in news on many occasions, not on account of the development, but, due to the brazen level of corruption over the years. Tainted officers posted in Samba district looted government exchequer on fake works and under various schemes. Bunker works near the International border, fake job cards, development works under different schemes remained on paper only and those, who got an opportunity to serve in RDD Samba as ACD, BDOs, Secy Pyts, JEs, and other staff made their fortunes by earning huge money by illegal means. As per the guidelines of RDD, nobody can use JCB or Tractor in any RDD work, but open violations took place over the years, and funds were released even for JCB and Tractor works. Many fake job cards were created by department officials and money in several lakhs was transferred into those accounts which in turn used by tainted officers of RDD Samba from ACD to various BDO offices. One of the top RDD officers earlier posted in Samba built a lavish bungalow amounting to several crores in the heart of Jammu city with all high-tech facilities. Likewise, another top officer, who earlier projected himself as honest to hoodwink people and his subordinate staff, but later, he too looted government money from different works. The majority of BDOs, JEs, and other staff members used to give their boss a fixed commission from every work. A high-level nexus was operational in RDD Samba in which a few PRI representatives were also involved along with BDOs, JEs, GRS, Secy Pyts supported by their boss. Money in several crores was released on fake works and it shows that how few RDD officers along with their subordinate staff looted money at will. Surinder Sharma, a local of Samba, pleading anonymity, told “POONCH TODAY” that “ Samba remained a hub of barefaced corruption in PHE, RDD and PWD departments. These three departments are full of fraud. People of Samba are fully aware of the misdeeds of successive RDD officers who earned several crores from their posting in Samba and have built big properties in Jammu, Srinagar and in other parts of the country.” added, “The issues of massive irregularities in RDD Samba remained the talk of the town over the years, but people are shocked that no inquiry was ever ordered against those who looted government money by frauds means.” Locals said that works under several schemes were executed on paper only and not on the ground and in this way, huge murder of government funds was taken place by the tainted officials of RDD Samba. They said that during the years 2015,2016, 2017, and 2018, few RDD officers of Samba looted money at will and nobody in the corridors of power took them to the task. A retired government employee from the Education department, wishing anonymity, said, “Government should investigate the properties of all those top RDD officers who remained posted in RDD Samba and I am sure, a big scam worth several crores will come out. By not taking action against corrupt officers of RDD Samba, the government is encouraging them and with this attitude, people are feeling helpless as they know that nobody will take any type of action against those officers of RDD Samba who looted money illegally over the years”. Demanding a high-level inquiry from the government into the last six years’ works of RDD Samba, locals feel that tough action against erring officers is necessary to set a benchmark for the future. Locals also said that they are having full hope on LGs administration as far as taking action against corrupt officers is concerned.
