In a classic example of wastage of tax payer’s money, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has spent nearly Rs40 lakh on sprucing up the official residence of its chief executive officer (CEO) SB Deepak Kumar in the name of camp office, which is not even approved.
The money was spent even as the officer is having the additional charge as the CEO of the board.
The board’s engineering department has the responsibility to look after the maintenance of official residence of the chairman and CHB office in Sector 9, but it spent nearly Rs40 lakh on the CEO’s residence in an arbitrary manner.
The engineering department bought an LCD worth Rs1.5 lakh, three air-conditioners for Rs 1.5 lakh, fixed curtains for Rs 1.60 lakh, besides kitchen accessories and mattresses worth lakhs.
CHB chairman Maninder Singh said, “We have not approved any camp office at the residence of the CEO. I will hold an inquiry to find out how so much money was spent at the residence.”
This correspondent went to the board CEO’s office in Sector 9 to meet him, but he was not present. He didn’t also respond to repeated calls made on his mobile number. There was no reaction from his side when questions were asked through text messages.
{{/usCountry}}This correspondent went to the board CEO’s office in Sector 9 to meet him, but he was not present. He didn’t also respond to repeated calls made on his mobile number. There was no reaction from his side when questions were asked through text messages.
{{/usCountry}}Acting chief engineer Sunil Kumar also did not respond to the calls and text messages sent at his phone.
The engineering department has provided new furniture, a modular kitchen and highend bathrooms fittings in four toilets at the official residence of 2005-batch UT-cadre Indian Administrative Services officer.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, RK Garg, an RTI activist, said, “First of all, there is no need for a camp office in a place like Chandigarh. In case there is a camp office, only furniture is required. The matter is serious and should be looked into.”