Achi news desk-
Srinagar, March 27: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said on Wednesday that it has registered a case against the then President, two officials of the Municipal Committee, Thanamandi, and others for misappropriation of funds.
In a statement, ACB said that the agency has registered a case under FIR number 01/2024 at ACB Police Station Rajouri under section 5(1)(c) )(d) r/w section 5(2) of the Prevention Act Pollution, Svt. 2006 and section 120-B of RPC against Shakeel Ahmed Mir, the then President Thanamandi Municipal Committee, Mushtaq Ahmed, the then Executive Officer, Riyaz Ahmed, the then Storekeeper and other officers / officials of Thanamandi Municipal Committee in as well as against the Proprietor of Gouri Sales M/s Agencies and others.
“The case was immediately registered on the outcome of the verification conducted by ACB into the allegations that the Thanamandi Municipal Committee, Rajouri had invited tenders for the installation of street lights within the limits of the Municipal Committee, vide number MC/T/19/193- 97 dated 06- 03-2019 worth lakhs of rupees for certain brands as well as specifications ie, Havells, Syska or Philips with two years warranty / replacement, but the concerned Executive, by misusing his official position, tolerated the company supplying and receiving supply of very inferior quality LED bulbs instead of quoted brands,” the statement added.
During the verification, it came to light that Municipal Committee President Thanamandi Rajouri had invited tender notice vide number MC/T/19/193-97 dated 06-03-2019 for purchase of street lights with specific brands mentioned above. As per the record, 100 60 watt street lights, Mos-Lites, were received from M/S Gouri Sales Agencies in Thanamandi Municipal Committee instead of the prescribed brand ie, Syska/Havells/Philips, the statement said.
“The same was found in the receipt register without mentioning the date of receipt as well as the brand. Out of the said 100 street lights, only 42 lights were identified by Thanamandi Municipal Committee staff, while 58 lights could not be traced. These lights were also found bought at exorbitant rates,” he added.
The verification further revealed that the then Thanamandi Municipal Committee Executive Officer Mushtaq Ahmed, without initiating any tender process, issued another supply order vide No. MC/T/2019/108A dated 16-05-2019 to M/S Sales Agencies Gouri for the purchase of 150 LED street lights of 45 watts, 150 LED bulbs of 40 watts, etc. at the rates already approved by the Thanamandi Municipal Committee for the year 2018-19., he said.
“However, no such LED street lights and LED bulbs, etc. were found so purchased through the said supply order, received in the Thanamandi Municipal Committee. In this regard, there has been no record regarding the receipt/distribution of such lights and bulbs. But bills against such purchases are approved by Riyaz Ahmed, the then Thanamandi Municipal Committee Storekeeper. It also emerged that Shakeel Ahmed Mir then President, Mushtaq Ahmed then Executive Officer, Riyaz Ahmed then Storekeeper and other officers/officials of the Thanamandi Municipal Committee, abused their positions official and instead of a criminal conspiracy hatched among themselves as well as Owner M. /S Gouri Sales Agencies (supply company) released full payment against LED street lights and LED bulbs allegedly purchased/supplied tender notice vide No. MC/T/19/193-97 dated 06-03-2019 and supply order No. MC/T/2019/108A dated 16-05-2019,” he added.
“By acting in this way, the public servants named above and others misused/embezzled the Government. money only to give them excessive financial benefits as well as a supplier with a corresponding loss to the Government. exchequer due to the LED street lights purchased at exorbitant rates as well as loss due to non-existent LED street lights and LED bulbs which came up to Rs 5,96,870/- (approx),” the statement said.
The above facts constitute commission of offenses punishable under section 5(1)(c)(d) r/w 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006 and section 120-B RPC vs. 1) Shakeel Ahmed Mir, Chairman Municipal Committee Thanamandi Rajouri S/o Abdul Aziz Mir R/o Ward no. 07 Thanamandi Rajouri 2) Mushtaq Ahmed, then Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Thanamandi Rajouri (now EO MC Doda) C/o Lal Hussain R/o Fatehpur Tehsil and District Rajouri 3) Riyaz Ahmed, then Sanitation Inspector (Store) Municipal Committee Thanamandi Rajouri, now posted as Supervisor in MC Doda S/o Amroo R/o Ward No. 07 Rajouri, other officers/officials of Thanamandi Municipal Committee as well as Proprietor of M/s Gouri Sales Agencies and others.
After registering a case under relevant sections of the law, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has also conducted searches with the help of local police / magistrates / independent witnesses at the residences of the above accused public servants located in Rajouri District, he said the statement, adding that there is further investigation. in the case proceeding.
