By Arfat Khan
Jammu: There is stinking mess prevailing in the Veterinary wing of Jammu Municipal Corporation which is headed by Municipal Veterinary Officer (MVO) Dr Zaffar Iqbal.
Groomed under the patronage of ex-JMC Commissioner Kiran Wattal, Dr Zaffar, though a veterinarian by profession is popularly known to be master in ‘Art of Conquer’ his superiors in the JMC as well as civil secretariat.
Only because of this special ability, he secured posting in the JMC for second time despite the fact that he was strongly censured for awful failure to perform his duty as MVO during first tenure (Aug 2013-Apr 2016) by a former IAS officer namely Mandeep Kour who served as JMC commissioner. She also recommended repatriation of the MVO in question from JMC to the parent department, revealed sources.
If sources are to believed currently there is widespread corruption and bungling prevailing in the MVO section of JMC. Maintaining anonymity an officer of JMC alleged that in MVO section someone is demanding Rs one lakh from persons engaged with one NGO as casual staff.
Expressing displeasure over critical health of MVO section in JMC, sources in Housing and Urban Development Department alleged “There is huge scandal worth crores lying under the carpet of veterinary wing of JMC pertaining to funds meant for IEC activities under ‘Swach Mision Campaign’, birth control of street dogs, solid waste management and animal care centre.
Bellying hollow claims of effective birth control of street dogs, JMC sources disclosed that there is considerable increase in population of street dogs in length and breadth of JMC jurisdiction the in the last 2 years.
The worst hit includes Bahu Fort area, Rajiv Nagar, Bathindi, Narwal, Janipur, Digiana, Satwari, Sainik Colony, Rehari, Sarwal, Panjthirthi, Dogra Hall, Gujjar Nagar and Talab Khatikan.
Similar is the sad affair concerning stray animals which can be seen roaming in almost all parts of the city and pose life threats to the car drivers especially at night.
“Funds meant for providing food to animals kept in animal care centre at Roop Nagar are swindled with impunity by manipulation of facts and figures” alleged sources. In fact, the animal care centre is a citadel of irregularities, added a JMC insider.
Currently, apart from performing his duty as MVO, Dr Zaffar is favoured with charge of two extremely significant assignments which includes ‘Swach Mission Campaign’ and Solid Waste Management.
The recent embarrassing ranking of Jammu city in Swachh Survekshan itself bears testimony to the fact that where actually the Rs 60 lakhs were spend.
The Jammu has been slipped down to 350th position from 329th rank (2019) in the second quarter of Swachh Survekshan 2020 being conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is clear indication of the shady contribution of the MVO under ‘Swach Mission campaign’, said JMC sources.“Except a great manipulator, the MVO is good for nothing” added sources.
Interestingly, as per show causes notice No: MJ/Estt/3857-59 dated 8/7/2016 the copy of which is in possession of JK Global News, the blued eyed MVO was indicted for severe charges ranging from gross mis management in running animal care centre at Roop Nagar, non implementation of dogs and breeder registration order, non implementation of closure of Dairies order, non implementation of regulation of meat shops and slaughter houses order and non implementation of order regarding imposing restrictions on shops selling birds within JMC jurisdiction. These charges clearly show the level of corruption prevailing in the Veterinary wing of JMC since long.
Consequently, the then JMC Commissioner divests Dr Zaffar Iqbal from additional assignment of sanitation work of zone 1 and 2 wide order No MJ/Estt/3951-57 dated 9/7/2016.
Ironically, despite facing serious charges on various accounts during his first tenure in JMC, Dr Zaffar not only secure posting in JMC for second stint but also managed to get additional charge of two important assignments.
With blessings of higher ups, there is deep nexus prevailing between Dr Zafar and NGO pertaining to affairs of animal care centre and birth control of street dogs.
When JKGN further enquire about the mess in veterinary section of JMC, allegations came flying thick and fast against Dr Zaffar Iqbal and one NGO pertaining to utilisation of money lying with JMC under Swach Mission, hiring of casual workers and birth control of street dogs.
The centre has transferred Rs 2.5 crore under ‘Swach Mission’ for organising awareness campaigns to educate people about the benefits of maintaining cleanliness.
However, nearly Rs 60 lakhs were consumed merely by organising some activities majority of which only exists in papers, alleged JMC sources.
Making mockery of solid waste management, the JMC authorities has assigned its charge to a person who neither possess any degree in environmental engineering nor any experience in the concerned field.
The height of nexus in swindling funds meant for solid waste management and Swach Mission Campaign can be gauged from the fact that it presently lying with a person who miserably failed to perform his duties for the job for which he possessed degree and experience, said an officer of JMC preferring anonymity.
The incumbent JMC commissioner Avny Lavassa should order an enquiry as to how and why MVO who was painted as red pertaining to his job during his first tenure managed to secure his posting for second time in JMC and then assigned charge of two most significant projects in JMC.
In addition, JMC commissioner should also order an audit of work done by SAVE NGO engaged by JMC for animal related activities.
This audit is need of the hour as the former JMC commissioner Mandeep Kour has expressed her deep displeasure over the working of NGO in question and ended the contract prior to its completion.
When contacted Dr Zaffar Iqbal clarified that everything is up to the mark in his wing and further asserted that he work in solid waste management and Swachh Mission is ‘absolutely up to the mark’.
(To be continued)