Times
of India: Pune: Tuesday, 29 September 2015.
Central
Bureau of Investigation's anti corruption department along with vigilance
department of the defence ministry conducted 'joint surprise checks' at
different establishments of Dehu Road Cantonment Board and collected several
documents to verify alleged misappropriation of public money in the execution
of various developmental works carried out by the board administration in last
two years.
"We had
received some information about alleged misappropriation of public money in
various developmental work carried out by the Dehu Cantonment Board and also
regarding fitness certificates given out to people without actually conducting
requisite medical check-up. We have inspected the hospitals of board's various
establishments, procurement and engineering department along with vigilance
department officials and collected several documents. Their scrutiny will take
some time and hence we cannot reveal anything at this stage," said a CBI
official who refused to be named.
When
contacted Abhishek Mani Tripathi, chief executive officer (CEO) of Dehu Road
Cantonment Board confirmed the joint inspections.
"The CBI
officials have received complaint about misuse of powers by some of our
officials. Hence they carried out joint inspection of some of our
establishments along with officials of our vigilance department. We are fully
cooperating with them," Tripathi said.
The joint
inspection check started at 10 am and continued till late in the evening.
"Total 10 officials from the CBI's anti corruption department and two
vigilance officials from defence ministry were part of the joint inspection
team," the official said.
Papers sought
under Right to Information (RTI) Act have revealed misappropriation of public
money to the tune of more than Rs 10 crore between August 2014 and August 2015
at Dehu Road Cantonment Board.
"Top
officials, engineers and doctors and board members have allegedly misused their
official positions and misappropriated public funds under names of repairs,
maintenance, water proofing and purchase of diagnostic machinery at inflated
cost and doling out fitness certificates to food handlers without conducting
medical investigations," said an activist who doesn't wish to be named.
When
contacted Trambak Waghchaure, resident medical officer (RMO) of board run
Babasaheb Ambedkar hospital said, "The officials conducted the inspection
and sought papers of fitness certificates distributed to various
individuals."
Waghchaure
however refuted allegations about distributing fitness certificates without
actually conducting medical check-up. "We have conducted tests and medical
examination before giving out fitness certificate. Hence, we don't have to
worry about anything," he added.
Some
development work under scanner
· Dehu Cantonment Board has spent Rs 1 crore on repair and
maintenance of public toilets. Activists allege that barring a handful of
toilets, most have remained neglected, dirty and are in shambles
· Dehu Cantoment Board conducted repair, maintenance of
school and hospital buildings. These building needed water proofing as they are
old and dilapidated. The board officials did not calculate the load before
using these structures, claim activists
· Between Vrundavan hotel and Dehu road bazar there already
exists a wall and this wall needed repair and painting. The paper sought under
RTI shows that the work order was given for repair to one agency but the bills
show that excavation of structures, demolition, dismantaling of materials, use
of rolling shutters, glazed tiles. The use of shutters and tiles on wall are
uncalled for.
· A payment of Rs 7 lakh is made towards repair of Octroi
post at Dehu. A site visit, the RTI activist says, reveals that only brick work
for small room was done which will cost less than Rs 1 lakh
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