Shadow Correspondent
Jammu,July07:
Alleging malpractices and irregularities in the release of CDF grants, a battalion of NPP workers led by Mr. Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and Mr. Yash Paul Kundal State President Young Panthers held a massive demonstration near press club Jammu seeking stoppage of operation of finances and CDF by members of suspended assembly. The protestors alleging nexus of politicians and officers in release of such funds in the most irregular and clandestine manner called for the indulgence of Governor and raised slogans against Planning Deptt and Rural Dev Deptt in particular.
Addressing media persons, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that members of suspended assembly are not entitled to exercise powers and privileges which are available in case of Regular Assembly and hence can’t exercise financial powers to release the CDF grants.
He said that a highly fraudulent mechanism was however being adopted by MLAs in connivance with unscrupulous officers to operate the said grants which needed due cognizance of the Governor. Several MLAs had got backdoor estimates prepared from certain govt Deptts with a highly notorious Rural Dev Deptt being in the lead, and had manoeuvred the issuance of a highly irregular order from the planning Deptt for release of CDF grants in respect of estimates already prepared. He said that there were reports of such huge backdated estimates costing hundreds of crores having been prepared by Rural Dev Deptt which has already earned the most dubious distinction of being the most corrupt Deptt. He said not only were the backdated estimates prepared but several officers had entertained backdated requisitions of MLAs for release of CDF grants.
He revealed that one of the BJP MLAs had spent merely 70-80 lacs rupees in three and half years but had issued backdated letters for release of over six crores of CDF on a single day after the suspension of assembly. He said that the MLA was being assisted in the highly fraudulent and irregular move by certain officers/officials of District Udhampur for vested interests which needed a thorough probe followed by appropriate penal action against the delinquents.
Yash Paul Kundal said that the recent order of Planning Deptt issued on 06-07-2018 after the lapse of 17 days from the date of suspension of assembly also defied logic. He said that the order was also being mis-represented and mis-interpreted by various vested interests to defraud the public exchequer and illegally withdraw the CDF grants without valid authority of law.
