Srinagar, Feb 28 (KNO): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday produced the charge-sheet in its court in Baramulla district of north Kashmir against Itrat Hussain Rafiqi, the then District Development Commissioner Kupwara and others for purchasing substandard matting and other furnishing items during his tenure.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the ACB produced charge sheet before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Baramulla in Case FIR No. 25/2015 P/S VOK (now ACB) under Section U/s 5(1)(d) r/w 5(2) J&K P.C Act, Samvat; 2006 and Section 120-B RPC against the public servants— Itrat Hussain Rafiqi, the then District Development Commissioner Kupwara, Muhammad Qasim Wani, the then District Programme Officer, ICDS Kupwara, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, the then District Treasury Officer Kupwara, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, the then In-charge Assistant Director CA&PD Kupwara, Dr. Alim-ud-Din Bhat, the then Chief Medical Officer Kupwara, Ali Mohammad Mir, the then In-charge General Manager District Industries Centre Kupwara and Khurshid Ahmad Malik, Proprietor of M/S The Wilgam Agro Co-operative Marketing Limited Wilgam Handwara. (Supplier/Beneficiary)
As per KNO, the ACB said that the instant case was registered in Police Station Vigilance Organization Kashmir (Now Anti Corruption Bureau) on 17-04-2015 after the conduct of a Joint Surprise Check into the allegations of purchase of substandard matting and other furnishing items on highly exorbitant rates during the year 2013-14 by the Project Officer ICDS Kupwara which revealed that the District Level Purchase Committee Kupwara headed by Itrat Hussain Rafiqi, the then District Development Commissioner Kupwara, (Chairman DLPC) and other members had approved the purchase of different quality of matting for Anganwari Centers of District Kupwara as against the advertised Excel matting, in league with each other and in connivance with the supplier and affected the purchase of matting (non-woven) measuring 30,22,63 Sq. feet @ Rs.17/Sq. foot from the said supplier.
The ACB said that the market survey conducted revealed that the same quality/make of matting was available at Rs.12/Sq. foot as per the prevailing market rates at that time, thereby had made the purchase on exorbitant rate of Rs.5/Sq. “Foot, thereby conferring pecuniary benefits to themselves and to the supplier. Out of the total payment of Rs.51,38,471/- made to the supplier firm against supply of said matting, excess payment of Rs.15,11,315/- was made to the supplier causing a huge loss to the state exchequer,” the statement said.
The ACB said that the Investigation of the case was concluded as proved against the aforementioned accused public servants and contractor. “For launching prosecution, the charge sheet of the case was produced today before the Hon’ble 1st Additional District & Session Judge Sh. Naseer Ahmad Dar in the Court of Special Judge Anti-corruption, Baramulla-Kupwara-Bandipora,” the statement said—(KNO)