Kamaal Saiyed: Indian Express; Fri Dec 24 2010,
Ahmedabad : The Surat District Development Officer has ordered an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the construction of a soak pit and sewage line under Sampurna Gramin Rojgar Yojana at Pinjarat village in Olpad taluka. DDO J B Vohra ordered the inquiry by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) following a complaint by Hasmukh Chaudhary, a clerical assistant with the postal department.
According to Chaudhary, who is a resident of Pinjarat, the gram sabha had sanctioned the soak pit work worth Rs 41,000 at Harijanvas in 2007. Eight persons were given job for the same and the work was completed in 51 days.
Later, Chaudhary found that the soak pit was not functioning, so he approached the local authorities. After not getting any response to his queries, he filed an RTI application to get the details.
The reply revealed that the location of the soak pit was changed to Koliwad, as a result of which Harijanvas residents continued to face drainage problems.
It further stated that instead of locals, labourers from other village were engaged in the work and that their names were not mentioned in the work register. It has also been alleged that the village sarpanch sought money from Harijanvaas residents to connect their homes to the soak pit.
“The soak pit is at present non-functional and no connection has been given to a particular neighbourhood,” Chaudhary told The Indian Express.
Village Talati Khushal Patel said, “Due to some technical problem, we shifted the project to Koliwad. And, with the permission of sarpanch, the work has been completed. The issue have come to light due to an internal fight between the villagers.”
While Vohra could not be contacted, Taluka Development Officer J V Dave said, “We have formed a two-member team to look into the alleged irregularities. We will take further action on the basis of their findings.”
.JPG)
.JPG)
