Divisional and Sub-Divisional engineers caused a loss of over Rs 46 lakh to PUDA by manipulating tenders, says inquiry report

A departmental inquiry into alleged irregularities in the construction of a Sports Complex opposite the Punjab Cricket Association’s stadium in Sector 63, Mohali, has indicted two officials of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA). The officials have been accused of “causing huge losses to PUDA by manipulating tenders to favour a private construction company”.

Inquiry officer Capt Narinder Singh, a retired IAS officer, has held PUDA divisional engineer R K Jaidka and sub-divisional engineer, Ludhiana, Gurdev Singh guilty of “knowingly transgressing their authority/power by violating the provisions of PWD code, PUDA policy and other regulations... to favour M/s R S Construction Company...despite having enough experience and (being) fully aware of the provisions of law”.

The inquiry was ordered by PUDA Chief Administrator A K Sinha on February 13.

In a 19-page report (Newsline has a copy) submitted to Sinha recently, the inquiry officer examined seven charges against Jaidka and five charges against Singh, besides going through the documents and evidences placed on record.

According to the records, with an estimate of Rs 2.8 crore, the tender notice for the construction of boundary wall/ gates of Sports Complex was issued on August 6, 1998. But the tender was allotted to M/s R.S. Construction Company for Rs 2.68 crore.

The probe found Jaidka deviating from the established procedure by issuing tender form to an ineligible firm and guilty of non-compliance of instructions laid down in the PWD code — issuing tender forms before approval of DNIT from competent authority. Besides, Jaidka was found guilty of tampering with the records by making changes in the specifications and quantities after issuance of tender forms and giving undue benefit to the contractor.

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