A contractor acquired funds from the Better Noida authority with out cleansing and beautifying two ponds within the Vaidpura and Bhola Rawal villages of Better Noida, officers conversant in the matter stated on Tuesday. The contractor claims to have spent ₹76 lakh, but in accordance to a grievance filed by village residents, no work has begun on the two websites.
In accordance to the principles, when a selected work is accomplished, the contractor is answerable for erecting a public info board on the work web site with particulars for common public use and to keep transparency.
“With out performing any cleansing or beautification work on the web site of the 2 ponds, the contractor has erected a public show board claiming to have accomplished the job. The contractor has additionally begun accumulating cost for the work earlier than even beginning work on the web site. Once we filed a grievance with the authority, the contractor eliminated the board from the positioning. Now we have video footage of the contractor eradicating the board. This corruption is at its peak as a result of the contractor has no regard for public funds or guidelines,” stated Pradip Dahalia, a complainant and resident of close by Sunpura village.
In accordance to the general public info board, the contractor stated the work started on Could 22 and will likely be accomplished on August 4, 2023. The Better Noida authority has launched a drive to desilt and beautify the ponds in all 124 villages forward of the monsoon season. The purpose of the transfer is for the ponds to assist preserve rainwater and recharge the groundwater desk.
“Nonetheless, the authority’s officers usually are not critical about cleansing and beautifying ponds on this metropolis as a result of they work hand in hand with contractors who declare funds with out even doing the job. The authority’s prime officers or the state authorities should do one thing to cease the misuse of public funds,” stated Akash Vashishtha, an environmentalist.
“Now we have acquired a grievance in regards to the contractor’s error and are taking applicable steps to right it. The board has been eliminated, and work will start quickly,” stated Rajesh Kumar, senior supervisor of the Better Noida authority. In accordance to officers conversant in the matter, this isn’t the primary time the contractor has made the error of claiming to full work with out really beginning it. “Beforehand, the authority imposed a penalty in an analogous case in one other village,” stated Kumar.
On Could 30, the Better Noida authority imposed a penalty of ₹5.5 lakh on the identical contractor for violating guidelines whereas de-silting and beautifying two ponds in Kheri village. The identical contractor posted a public info board claiming to have cleaned the pond with out starting any work on the web site. The penalty was imposed after villagers introduced the matter to the eye of the Better Noida authority. After the work was accomplished, the contractor was supposed to put up a ‘public info board’ with particulars of the venture’s price range, begin date, and completion date, as directed by the authority.