Benefitting blue-eyed contractors ruin panorama of Verinag Garden
Anantnag: The panorama of the Verinag Mughal Garden was ruined by the authorities by constructing new structures on the land, which was earlier occupied by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The construction of the structure on the land by the Verinag Development Authority (VDA) as per the sources was aimed to provide benefits to some blue eyed contractors.
Pertinently, several structures were raised by the authorities since the year 2006. However, none among them have been made functional yet except Verinag Cafeteria.
Sources said that from its date of establishment in 2006 by the former Chief Minister Late Mufti Mohammad Syed, the VDA has less performance in the area as the officials there remained busy in providing benefits to those affiliated with ruling class.
Recently, State Vigilance Organization (SVO) team raided the office of the Chief Executive Officer (VDA) in Verinag and seized all its records.
After proper investigation, FIR were launched against some employees including officers of VDA, but now the authority is repeating the history of 2006 to 2014 by providing benefits to limited contractors by constructing the new structures.
Notably, the Authority is getting Rs 1 Crore 80 Lacs per annum as Annual Plan Funds plus revenue of the authority for the development of Tourism sector in Verinag through different ways, but the authority is spending the amount only on constructions.
“We have submitted a memorandum to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister regarding this matter but no action has been taken in this regard,” Gulzar Ahmad Wani, Gen. Sec of Greater Verinag Civil Society told Kashmir Vision.
Another resident, Aejaz Ahmad said that the authority is constructing the fence of graveyards in the area to provide benefits to the hench men of political parties.
Despite repeated attempts, CEO Verinag Development Authority was not available for comments.
KV Correspondent
