Efforts of LG Manoj Sinha against corruption are creditable. But, wasteful expenditure worth several crores deserves attention of Raj Bhawan for a probe to unearth nexus involved in mining gold through shady and sub standard lanes and drains work in JMC wards
JAMMU: Nullifying intensely publicized anti graft campaign of Mayor Jammu who alike Don Quixote have unleashed a war against corruption with sloganeering ‘Imaandar Jammu, Shaandar Jammu’, the works department of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is sleeping over alleged gross corruption prevailing by way of massive wastage of public exchequer worth several crores on the name of botched development in several wards.
Highlighting deplorable condition of lanes, a resident of Naranian Mohalla, Ward No 9 accused the works department of JMC for remaining silent on sub standards civil works executed by JMC in area.
Pointing towards dilapidated condition of tiles work in lanes, another resident of Naranian Mohalla said, “These lanes were refurbished in the recent past but due to sub standard earth work and poor quality of tiles, almost all lanes at several places either caved in or broken.
To curb rampant corruption prevailing in civil works, the Mayor Jammu must himself visit wards to take assessment of quality of works pertaining to re-construction of lanes and drains. Indeed, this initiative will add meaning to his ‘Brashtachaar Mukt’ campaign, says Subash Sharma.
Surprisingly, some of these lanes were constructed only less than a year ago and indicts a well organized play of corrupt practices to squander government funds on the name of development, alleged a resident of Rehari Colony who branded recurring repair of tile work as a play of match fixing. 
The government must order verification of all lanes and drains works executed by works department of JMC in last three years. Besides, the ACB also probe the channels of money which helped some JMC Councilors in raising huge palatial bungalows worth several crores in just 2 to 3 years, says a Pinki, a resident of Kacchi Chawni.
Mohd Shafiq a resident of Ustad Mohalla while highlighting visible sub standard tile work of lane from entrance of Ustad Mohalla up to Shiv Art Printers which was executed in the month of February, 2023 told JK Global News “Earlier also the JMC used to carry restoration work of lanes which remain intact up to 15 years”. 
The authorities in JMC need to probe the role of concerned JEs who remained associated with these work since 2019, he further said, adding “Repair, restoration and construction of lanes with tile works which reappear in same lane within few months of its completion have become a ‘Gold Mine’ for everyone involved in it”.
Similar concerns were also raised by residents of Ward No 47 (Bahu Fort), 48 (Gorkha Nagar), 16 (New Plot), 6 (Gujjar Nagar), 5 (Talab Khatikan), 12 (Krishna Nagar), 21 (Gandhi Nagar), 23 (Satwari) and 41 (Talab Tillo). They complained that funds worth crores wasted in repairing of several lanes and drains which were already in perfect condition.
Efforts to seek viewpoint of Joint Commissioner (Works), JMC failed to materialize, however a senior officer of JMC works department on condition of anonymity said “Proposals pertaining to restoration, repairing and reconstruction of lanes and drains in different wards were submitted by concerned Councilors. Though, JE inspected the spot to verify the proposal and feasibility but if we object to it, they (Councilor) adopt pressure tactics. Many skeletons will tumbled out, if the authorities ordered physical verification and probe into it, added one officer of JMC works department.