Community center built at Rs.one crore develops cracks for not being in use

By Gurpreet Singh Mehak; Punjab Newsline Network; Sunday, 07 November 2010

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Though the Municipal Council (MC) Sirhind-Fatehgarh Sahib has spent around Rs 1 crore for construction of Community Centre at Khanpur Road, Sirhind city but it is still non-functional. Most of the building has developed cracks and the building is in worst condition now.

The Community Centre which is situated on prime land of the area spreads in around 3,000 square yards and present market value of land is more than Rs 1 crore. Even after spending huge amount there is no basic amenities; proper water supply; toilets; lights and sewerage in the community centre.

It may be mentioned here that the construction of the Community Centre was started in 2004 under Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT) scheme sponsored by the Central Government. The centre was inaugurated in November 17, 2006 by senior congress leader and the then Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Harbans Lal.

Before the start of the community centre, estimate of the project was prepared by local municipal council authorities. The estimate of Rs 22.50 lakh was approved by Punjab government on December 20, 1997. As per the estimate Rs 12 lakh was to spend by Central government, Rs 8 lakh by Punjab government and Rs 2.50 lakh by the local municipal council but the construction was not started even after long time. The council authorities revised the estimate on January 29, 2004 and again prepared estimate of Rs 42.75 lakh for construction of the Community Centre but the council authorities. Even with this amount the council could not complete the project.

To complete the project, then the council prepared split estimates of Rs 12 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, Rs 5 lakh. When Sher Singh, former municipal council president had sought information from the MC under RTI Act in 2006 the council authorities which provided in information on July 12, 2007 informed him that Rs 74 lakh have spend and further Rs 10 lakh will be spent to complete the Community Centre. But after spending Rs 84 lakh, the project was not completed . Interestingly though the centre was not completed but the Municipal Council in its meeting held on February 17, 2010 passed a resolution to further spend Rs 5 lakh for the repair of the community centre.

Sher Singh had complained to higher authorities of Central government, local bodies, state government in 2006 in which he alleged that funds have been misappropriated and sub standard material is used for the construction of the community centre building. He alleged that the design of construction has been changed at will by the council authorities.

On his complaint, a preliminary inquiry was conducted by Chief Vigilance Officer, Local Bodies, and Punjab. During investigation, various omissions and commissions were found and as a result of which Harmail Singh Jandu, the then Junior Engineer of the council was placed under suspension on June 6, 2008 and his headquarter was fixed at Khanouri during suspension period. Sher Singh said the inquiry was still pending against the JE but he was reinstated on March 2, 2009 with pending inquiry orders.

She said the inquiry was yet to be completed but the JE was again posted at MC, Sirhind-Fatehgarh Sahib on October 7, 2010. Sher Singh again approached the Principal Secretary, local bodies and apprised him about the JE alleged wrong doings. Sher Singh said that reposting of the JE brings a blot upon the SAD-BJP government which is making tall claims of corruption free administration. He demanded CBI inquiry and immediate transfer of the JE so that he could not tamper with the record after getting posting here. Sher Singh said that the council authorities not only wasted Rs 1 core on construction of the community centre but did not use the land worth Rs 1 crore. He asked who is responsible for this loss.

When contacted the MC Executive Officer Jagjit Singh Shahi, he said he said that the community centre is not operational as the project is yet to be completed. He hoped that the centre will soon start work. When contacted Local Bodies Director S.K. Sharma this evening said presently he was not aware about the community centre case. When asked about the posting of the JE, who was earlier suspended by the department on the same place, he said he is not aware about the case at this moment. He said there are 136 municipalities of the state and he can comment only after checking the record.