Shimla: The Prime Minister flagship program Jal-Jeevan mission is
becoming a big scam, alleged leader of opposition of the state legislature Mr Mukesh Agnihotri on Tuesday.
Agnihotri made these allegations while taking part
in the cut motion of IPH Department, he also demanded a white paper on the scheme.
Opposition leader Mr Mukesh Agnihotri began discussion on the cut Motion of IPH supplementary budget, he said that tenders to the tune of Rs 5000 crores were floated under the flagship program, however there were mere
budgetary provisos of Rs 520 Cr for this scheme.
He said that in reply to a query raised by BJP Member Ramesh Dhawala,
IPH minister in house Mr. Mahinder Singh Thakur stated that Budgetary
provisions of Rs 200 Cr and Rs 230 Cr had been made during the last two years under the
Jal-Jeevan mission.
”The minister should explain who so many tenders were being floated.
If ministers have any other hidden source to fund such tenders he must
have to explain.” Cong leader said.
He said that tenders should not been floated recklessly.
Seeking white paper in the Jal-Jeevan mission and other IPH schemes he said pipes were not be buried properly as they were laid on the open
road under the scheme.
He alleged that condition of minimum wage is not followed by the
Government in the IPH department after hiring the manpower on
outsource basis.
Blaming the state for raising foreign funds from external agencies in
lieu of IPH Schemes Mr Mukesh Agnihotri alleged government is trying to link the IPH schemes and horticulture project Shiva.
He said that there was a plan to bring about 5000 hectare area under irrigation but noting has been done yet.
Terming the minister as an ‘expert’ in floating tenders without budgetary provisions Mr Agnihotri said that funds of Swan Channelization were being diverted to other projects.
Speaking on the cut motion, the Congress member Asha Kumar said that 47 per
cent tenders were being floated in two assemblies at Dharmpur and Siraj however in the assembly segment BJP member Ramesh Dhawala had said only three lakh tenders were being floated.
She also drew the attention of the house over the forthcoming summer season and the drought condition, Many areas of Shimla town is getting supply of water after three days, she added.
Ms Kumari pointed out that under outsource recruitment, employees are
not being paid minimum wage. She said that 50 per cent of the
employees are being hired in department held by Chief minister and IPH
minister.
Blaming the IPH department for allegedly depriving the small contractors Cong
member Ram Lal Thakur said that instead of issuing small projects, the department is issuing big tenders.
Seeking to focus on the quality of pipe lines, the Cong member said that it should be maintained properly so that
instead of supplying water these pipes should not take air.
Intervening on the discussion Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said
Opposition leader is trying to create the impression as if this government is not doing any work.
Chief Minister said that during the Covid period he had
laid foundation stone of development work worth Rs 3500 Cr. in the state online, besides this Rs 162
Cr developmental works were dedicated and foundation stone of these were laid in
Jawali and Seraj assembly segments as well.
