By Arfat Khan
JAMMU: The gross misappropriation of Rs 20 crore amount sanctioned by Lieutenant Governor G.C.Murmu for purchase of face masks in different districts can be gauged from the fact that not only it were purchased on highly exorbitant rates in some districts but also supplied under quantity by the blue eyed private entity Rajeev Nanda in alleged connivance with some officers of Rural Development and Panchyati Raj.
Irony of the matter is that one senior officer in watsapp group is allegedly posting messages to release amount of face masks procurement on priority else face the action.
Even some ACDs and BDOs are on hectic job to collect bills from some NGOs in favour of one Rajeev Nanda who is managing the maximum chunk of face mask supply in Jammu division through proxy by taking into loop several NGOs and self Help Groups (SHG) as the later has no registered NGO on his name or on the name of his family members.
Highly placed sources in RD&PR disclosed that though the order No 95-RD&PR of 2020 issued on dated April 5 underline several guidelines for ensuring transparency in procurement, collection and distribution of face masks for 71.87 lakh identified persons in state falling under AAY/PHH and 42.24 lakh under NPHH excluding category.
However, there was no rationality maintained in rate of face masks, revealed one member of purchase committee constituted in District Udhampur.
The same mask which was supplied by vendor @ Rs 12 in Samba and Kathua was procured @ Rs 19 in Ramban where DPO was made nodal officer in place of ACD, @ Rs 20 in Udhampur, @ Rs 18 in Kishtwar, @ Rs 20 in Reasi, Poonch and Rajouri, added sources.
To ascertain the gravity of allegations revolving around the purchase and distribution of face masks in several districts of Jammu division, JKGN team masquerading as NGO went to several SHGs and tailors in Jammu and came across very startling facts.
One SHGs agree to supply us the double layer khadi cotton face masks with fabric ribbon @ Rs 10 and @ Rs 7.50 with elastic ribbon. “We have also supplied masks in thousands to one Rajeev Nanda @ Rs 9.50 and Rs 8.50 respectively against which the later obtained bill @ Rs Rs 14, Rs 18 and Rs 20 mentioning excess quantity than actually purchased” said one SHG member.
As agreed we received our actual amount whereas the rest mentioned shown as inflated in bill goes back to the party, said SHG member.
This is a business and everything goes like this as in lockdown we get wages by stitching masks and we have no regret even if someone get bill from us @ Rs 20 per face masks which we actually sold them for Rs 9.50 as we are contented with our substantial margin even by selling the same @ Rs 8, added another person associated with SHG.
Similar revelations were made by one boutique owner who have supplied best quality double layer khadi cotton with fabric ribbon in lakhs to person introduced himself as Rajeev Nanda.
The mess is more gigantic in distribution and maintaining inventory as reliable sources reveals “The masks were not supplied to the target population in several districts”. The more the funds allocated the severe is the discrepancies in procurement and its distribution, added sources.
The passion of some ACDs and majority of BDOs was its peak in procurement which was missing badly in its distribution and maintaining genuine inventory following verifiable process, asserted another senior officer of RDD.
There are 148 blocks in 10 districts of Jammu division and the government has identified 71.87 lakhs persons under AAY card holder which have to be provided face masks free of cost whereas and 42.24 lakhs persons under APL category for providing masks at subsidised rate of Rs 10.
Distribution of face mask was exemplary in Samba, Doda and Poonch, added insiders.
However, insiders in RDD reveals that leave aside APL even the families under BPL in several blocks were not even given single masks.
To silence JKGN, this beleaguered blue eyed person has hired services of one Bureau Chief of defunct national news channel who implored us to with held the news item as the same will dent image of former family.
But, do swindling pandemic funds meant for miserbale lot of society is a noble job which will crowned the VIP ghost supplier with certificate of excellence in serving humanity.
(To be continued)