Prof S.K Bhalla
As the nation gears for celebrating 78th Independence Day, it is high time to keep a track of our achievements and failures. I am to concentrate on our failures especially in Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited (JPDCL) in our UT which has earned massive criticism and ignominy on this auspicious day.
On 5th August, 2019, the foundations of a corruption free UT were laid with much fanfare but the track record post 2019 has not been at all inspiring.
Coming to the core issue which is hogging the limelight today in all dailies, I am constrained to write that the closure report filled by Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (JKACB) in the court of Special Judge Anti Corruption, Jammu makes a damning reading.
The ingredients of the ACB’s closure report constrained the learned Judge to pen down “Let this message go to such Investigating Agencies which want to treat the court as the dumping ground of their sham and motivated investigations, to simply get a seal of endorsement on them, that though there is a symbolic band on the eyes of goddess of justice, but judge sitting in the court is not blind. He will see the material placed on record with open eyes and judicial mind to reach to his own conclusions”.
The aforesaid is self-explanatory and I can also gauge the working of ACB which doesn’t earn any enconimium. No bouquets but only brickbats.
The matter revolves around Centre’s much touted Saubhagya Scheme which aimed at electrifying every household in UT during Amritkal. However, the reverse has happened and the centre’s prestigious project has been grounded in the muck of Rs 500 crore corruption, the investigation of which was entrusted to JKACB in the year 2020.
“Criminal conspiracy, fabricated false evidence by way of creating utility certificates and bills without authentication” invited the ire of learned Judge. These were not low voltage violations but grave aberrations which constitute criminal misconduct and consequent prosecution under Prevention of Corruption Act.
It was shocking to note that the government of the day didn’t initiate departmental action against the delinquent officers/officials as per law of the land. The Principal Secretary PDD must address to inaction on his part which speaks volumes about the compulsions and pressures in fixing the accused named in the scam. This clearly reflects that there is huge gap in precepts and practices as propounded by our conscience keepers.
In the light of this judgement, the ACB is in the dock and has shaken the confidence of common man who wants to enjoy the fruits of good governance coupled with 100% accountability and transparency as also work culture post Article 370 abrogation.
The observations of the learned presiding officer pertaining to the collusion of government, implementing agencies and project monitoring agency in safeguarding the accused namely Manhar Gupta, Umesh Parihar, Asgar Hussain, Tasaduq Hussain Sheikh and Surinder Kumar Koul who are figuring in the Scam are also a matter of soul searching especially when the Pradhan Sevak repeatedly stresses on the dictum – Na khaoun Gha, Na khanei dhoungha.