Bandipora, June 14: The District Development Commissioner Bandipora Manzoor Ahmad Lone has ordered fresh investigation into the alleged misuse of funds meant for execution of different water supply schemes in the district. This comes in the wake of reports that a number of water supply units in the district were lying defunct despite expenditure of a large amount of money on their construction.
 Reports say about 16 water supply schemes are lying defunct in villages of Bandipora. This, according to sources, forced the local MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat to raise the issue with the DDC, leading to the fresh probe.
 Pertinently in 2011 the General Administration Department (GAD) also initiated a probe into the alleged misuse of money meant for water schemes in Bandipora. The GAD constituted a high level committee headed by then Chief Engineer Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to probe the ‘scam’. However the probe was not completed in view of superannuation of some members of the probe panel.
 The mismanagement of funds has been alleged in water supply schemes at Zaban, Kotasathri, Gujar Pati Sumlar , Shokbaba, Gundpora Gamroo, Madar Bhag, Chattaybanday, Chaki Arsalan Khan, Mulkhuihama, Tangpathri, Haptnar, Ongam Panzigam, Cheki Mantrigam, Yali-Pethkoot, Chuntimulla, Kunan and Bilal Colony.
 MLA Bandipora Nizam-ud-din Bhat said the fresh probe should be completed within the time frame. “It is important to probe the matter thoroughly and fix the responsibility on lapses, if any,” he said.
 Despite complaints by the local MLA and locals, officers in PHE Department claim that they have made 14 schemes partially functional during the past few months—something which is not accepted by local residents.
  “We have submitted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) about the repair of the defunct schemes. But it cannot be done unless the inquiry into the issue is completed,” said a PHE official, wishing anonymity. “There is nothing wrong if the inquiry is conducted into the issue. But it must be completed soon so that the schemes are made fully functional.”
 The DDC Bandipora Manzoor Ahmad Lone admitted having ordered a fresh probe into the issue. “We shall complete the probe within 25 days,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST