Ex-Assistant Commissioner Development in vigilance net in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 7 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance Organisation (VO) has registered a case against former Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD), Kupwara under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

A VO spokesman said ACD Bashir Ahmad Wani, who was also Programme Coordinator of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in the district along with officials of SICOP and proprietor of an SSI unit purchased job cards and other stationary items at highly exorbitant rates thereby causing a loss of over Rs 7.45 lakh to the state exchequer.

A case under FIR 4/2008 P/S VOK U/S 5(2) P.C Act r/w 120-B RPC was registered after it was established during investigation that Wani, in connivance with other officials of the ACD office, officials of SICOP and the owner of Roshni Off Set Press Srinagar has purchased 50,000 job cards and other stationary items on highly exorbitant rates worth Rs 9,94,350 in 2006.

The purchase has been made for pecuniary benefits subverting the normal tendering process of determination of prevalent market rates as was required under rules. While Wani purchased job card at the rate of Rs 13.60 per card from the Roshni Off Set Press Srinagar in the year 2006, his successor purchased the same job card for Rs 2.14 per card in 2007.

The calculations have revealed that a loss of Rs 7,45,660 has been caused to the state exchequer by purchases on exorbitant rates.

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