Sangrur, September 3: A report of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department has brought out that solar lights were purchased at inflated rates between 2007 and 2016.
Of the 33,368 lights installed in 2,249 villages of the state, tenders were invited for only 609 of them.
Through tenders, a light had cost between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,500. The cost shot up to Rs 26,000 per light for which tenders were not invited.
This brings into question the role of Block Development Panchayat Officers (BDPOs), who finalised the process from the purchase from private companies to their installation. The report says that in Ferozepur, the price per light varied between Rs 1,500 (with tender) to Rs 25,000 (without tender). In Gurdaspur, PUDA installed lights for Rs 1,500 per piece in some villages and for Rs 13,585 in other villages. In Mohali, the lights were purchased in the range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 10,500.
In the home district of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, lights were installed at a uniform rate of Rs 16,500 per piece in 17 villages — which were sanctioned lights. In Patiala, the rate was Rs 15,000 per piece.
Harpal Singh Cheema, AAP MLA from Dirba, said: “Senior officers of the department, in connivance with SAD-BJP leaders, purchased lights at inflated rates. How could lights be purchased without inviting tenders? A majority of lights are of poor quality and have stopped working. The party demands a Vigilance inquiry and action against officers and leaders.”
Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa said, “The matter is under investigation. The government will take action as per the investigation report.”
News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
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