Exposes misuse of funds, nepotism in MC Kalakote

My Town My Pride 2.0 (MTMP) a nine days programme that culminated in December has exposed misuse of funds and nepotism in Municipal Committee (MC) Kalakote, as the visiting officer, Director General Floriculture, Parks & Garden Jammu and apprised the Director Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) Jammu about loot of public resources and deliberately delay in important development projects.

“During the visit of the undersigned at Kalakote in connection with My Town My Pride Programme 2.0 w.e.f. 05.12.2022 to 06.12.2022, a deputation of the public of Kalakote led by Thakur Randhir Singh, submitted a complaint along with a demand chart regarding misuse of funds under various schemes in Municipal Committee Kalakote from 2018-19 to onwards. The same is hereby enclosed for favour of your kind information and further course of action. The action taken report on the matter may kindly be shared with the undersigned,” copy of the letter addressed to Director ULBs Jammu by the visiting officer read.

Meanwhile, on December 6, a deputation led by BJP leader Thakur Randhir Singh, Surinder Sharma, Sardari Lal, and other locals informed the visiting officer about the misuse of funds. “Houses constructed by the Municipal Committee, Kalakote under PMAY are not as per the guideline of the prestigious scheme. The scheme in Kalakote MC has been hijacked by nepotism and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) should inquire about the matter. The members of the Committee and staff of the MC Kalakote have reportedly promoted nepotism and deserving people have been ignored”, the deputation alleged in the written memorandum submitted to the visiting officer read.

It further read that a project sanctioned by the Floriculture department in 2017 could not complete due to the non-serious approach of staff of the MC Kalakote. “Around 21 Kanal of land was allotted for a park near PWD Dak Bungalow in Kalakote, but after the lapse of around five years only 10 shops have been constructed so far”, the deputation alleged and added that around Rs 33 lacs spent for lighting at bus-stand Kalakote, but due use of sub-standard material the 33 lacs rupees goes drain.

“The lighting system turned defunct, after six months of its commissioning, the staff of MC Kalakote preferred to fill their pocket instead of serving the purpose”, the deputation further alleged and requested LG Manoj Sinha to conduct a probe to unearth the scandals that took place in MC Kalakote.