Rs 35-lakh illegally spent by PHE on purchasing pipes

The inquiry committee, constituted in April 2013, to probe complaints on purchase of composite pipes by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department had in its report submitted that purchase committee had approved procurement from the agency which had participated in the tendering.

The inquiry committee, constituted in April 2013, to probe complaints on purchase of composite pipes by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department had in its report submitted that purchase committee had approved procurement from the agency which had participated in the tendering.

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The information was given in written reply by the PHE minister to an un-starred question, if committee had been constituted to look into irregularities of funds, by MLA Abdul Gaffar Sofi in the assembly on Sunday.

The minister in his reply said the department had initiated action against the members of purchase committee and chargesheet has been served to them. He said the charged officers have submitted their replies, which are being examined for further action.

On the question if the matter has been referred to the investigating agency, the minister in his reply said, "It has not been referred to any agency as the department is dealing with it on its own. The directorate of audit and inspections was asked to conduct special audit of the procurement divisions which had submitted its report in September 2013."

The special audit team had found the procurement of ISI marked composite pipes costing Rs 35 lakh was irregular as these were procured from a firm which had not participated in tendering.

The reply also said there was no misappropriation of funds in purchase of substandard pipes. The minister said, however, a complaint was received by a private firm M/S ESSKAY regarding purchase of composite pipes by PHE mechanical division Jammu.