Lokayukta summons PWD secretary, others in corruption case

The Maharashtra Lokayukta has summoned the secretary of Public Works Department (PWD) and superintending engineer of Quality Control Board of Amravati to appear before him in Mumbai on October 6 in a complaint of corruption in road contruction works.
The complaint was filed by RTI activist Ajay Borele pertaining to rampant corruption by the then executive engineer and sub divisional engineer (SDE) of Yavatmal PWD in the asphalting works on Yavatmal-Babhulgaon-Dhamangaon State Highway in 2015.
According to Borele, the then executive engineer and sectional engineer of Yavatmal PWD had given tender to their cronies and shown the works only on paper and drawn the amount of Rs 15-16 lakh after filing bogus bills.

"In fact, the asphalting works were not carried out at all," Borele further alleged.
He lodged a complaint before the Lokayukta in January 2015 in this regard and the Lokayukta ordered the Quality Control Board of Amravati to report back after due verification of the quality of the so called works.
However, the Board allegedly submitted bogus report to the Lokayukta with a view to protect the corrupt engineers.

Borele then obtained the copy of the report under RTI Act and on verification, it was found that a deliberate attempt was made on the part of the Quality Control Board to safeguard the corrupt engineers.

The RTI activist then filed a petition before the Lokayukta along with necessary records and figures pertaining to corruption.
Taking cognizance of the records presented by Borele, the Lokayukta has now summoned the Secretary of PWD, Mantralaya, Mumbai, Superintending Engineer of Quality Control Board of Amravati and the complainant to be present before him with original documents and relevant evidences for a final hearing and disposal of the case on October 6 at Mumbai.