MPLAD funds being siphoned off, Gandhi tells Patiala admn
Thursday, 04/06/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Patiala : Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi (see pic) has written to Patiala Deputy Commissioner Indu Malhotra, pointing out discrepancies in three projects. He alleged the MPLAD funds he had released for the projects had been misused. Gandhi has sought an inquiry in the matter.
He has alleged the officials of the “state rural development in connivance with the contractor had siphoned off the funds sanctioned” to them and compromised on the quality of the work.
Gandhi said he had sanctioned Rs 2 lakh for the brick-lining of a street in Kalwanu village in Shutrana assembly segment, but the contractor did not complete the work. He had also sanctioned Rs 2.5 lakh for the setting up of a dharamshala in Belumajra village, but the work was not satisfactory. “The walls of the dharamshala have already developed cracks,” he said in the complaint.
Senior Congress leaders in the district alleged the state government had been ignoring Patiala and all development funds were diverted to Bathinda. They said funds sanctioned by the Central Government were also being misused.
“Even during the tenure of former Patiala MP Preneet Kaur, funds were not utilised properly. The government was not keen to complete most of the projects,” they alleged.
Patiala Deputy Commissioner Indu Malhotra said she had not received Gandhi’s complaint. However, she said she would take action if something was wrong.
