Audio tape puts top official of JKPCC in a fix
Srinagar: Hours after an audio tape about a senior official of the Jammu and Kashmir Projects and Construction Corporation (JKPCC), negotiating ‘a deal to windup a case’ against him in the State Vigilance Commission (SVC), the clamor for initiating a probe in this issue is growing shriller.
Vice Chairman, JKPCC, Khalid Jehangir has demanded high level and transparent enquiry into this ‘ugly episode’.
He said that VO should take immediate cognizance and make its position clear as this episode has potential to harm the organization’s reputation and credibility.
Jehangir said that the government was committed to eradicating corruption from public offices and asserted that nobody found guilty of corrupt practices or attempting to bribe Vigilance officials would be tolerated.
Reportedly, the audio tape, subject to technical authentication, noticed that the audio matches with MD of JKPCC, Dileep Thusu.
The MD of the corporation, which is handling construction works worth Rs 5000 crore, is heard purportedly asking one of his subordinate officers in Jammu to collect bribe money of Rs 5 lakh for an officer in Vigilance Organization to fail an anti-corruption case involving officers of JKPCCC.
He is heard telling the same officer that Rs 5 lakh more would be collected in Kashmir, to make it Rs 10 lakh. He is heard telling the officer that he has succeeded in settling the matter with a “top officer” in SVC through a businessman.
“It is an extremely serious matter as it pertains to image and reputation of the state’s biggest anti-corruption watchdog. We are hopeful that Chairman SVC-P L Gupta and Director Vigilance Javaid Gillani will take this matter seriously, order a time bound inquiry and initiate criminal investigations against the public servants/businessmen if any found guilty,” said an officer.
Interestingly, VO is investigating a case in which MD of JKPCC has given a huge supply order to one of his favourites/clients through MD SICOP Mr Tikoo.
KV Correspondent
