Haryana: INLD alleges corruption in purchases made under power schemes

Haryana's opposition party INLD on Friday alleged corruption in the purchases made under the state government's ambitious 'Mhara Gaon, Jagmag Gaon' and some other power schemes.

'Mhara Gaon, Jagmag Gaon' scheme, which aims at providing 24-hour uninterrupted power supply to villagers, was launched by the Manohar Lal Khattar-led government three years ago.

Senior Indian National Lok Dal leader Abhay Singh Chautala claimed that transmission cables were found to be substandard in seven districts under the state's 'Bijli Vitran Nigam'.

"But instead of putting the purchasing and quality control authorities in the dock, the government has issued orders to make recovery from the contractors who installed the cables," he said.

"Moreover, in a glaring example of turning a blind eye to corruption, the government has chosen not to conduct inspections in Gurugram and Faridabad districts," he added.

The Leader of Opposition also alleged corruption in purchases made under the Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti Yojna.

He demanded a high-level probe into the alleged scam.

Chautala, whose party claims to have various RTI replies to back its allegations, also demanded that the firms which allegedly supplied the substandard cables be blacklisted and FIRs registered against them.

He also alleged corruption in the construction of the municipal corporation complex in Sonipat.

The Khattar government constructed the complex at "double the cost by allotting contract according to the rate schedule of Delhi instead of Haryana," he claimed.

The INLD leader also expressed concern at the "rising crime in the state".

He alleged there is a general sense of insecurity among women, Dalits and children in the state.

Official figures show that between January-August 2018, there have been 95 gang rapes, 949 rapes, 665 murders, 403 cases of crimes against Dalits, 10,158 cases of crimes against women, 2,673 kidnapping cases, 220 dacoity cases, 486 cases of loot, 159 cases of arson and 2,461 cases of crime against children in the state, he said.

Chautala also demanded a compensation of minimum Rs 25,000 for farmers whose crops were damaged during heavy rains in several parts of Haryana between September 22-24.

He asked the government to immediately order a survey to assess the damage caused to paddy and other crops in the state.

To reduce the farmers' misery, the least the government can do is to waive the interest on their loans and defer all kinds of recoveries for the next one year, he said.