SAD-BJP councillors demand CBI probe into multi-crore Galliara project

“We demand a CBI probe into the project’s ongoing work. Crores of rupees had been siphoned off and favourite officials had been posted on the seats,where they had been misusing the powers,” said councillor Kanwar Nain Gullu,one of the 10 councillors who submitted a seven-page complaint to the Punjab governor.

They alleged works were allotted to private contractors ignoring rules and regulations,while shops were allotted to people who did not have shops. The councillors also alleged that escalated bills were paid,and instead of levying penalties for the delay in work,bills were cleared.

The Galliara project was started in 1988 after ‘Operation Black Thunder’ and aims to beautify the Golden Temple complex and its surroundings. In the five-phase project,four had been completed and the last phase is under way for which Rs 70 crore has been approved.

“There had been some inquiries conducted but all those were at the local level,including the one by vigilance bureau. We want that the inquiry is conducted by a central agency like CBI as the money involved belongs to the Centre,” the councillors said in their complaint.

They alleged that some of the project officials had delegated decision-making powers including allotment of contracts to the lower ranked staff,who were not empowered to take these decisions.

“The construction of the multi-crore parking complex at Saragarhi school was illegally allotted to Mattewal Co-Society without the approval of High Power Committee (HPC) of the project. The project first cost Rs.25.42 crore,which was enhanced in violation of norms,to Rs 35.80 crore,” the complaint alleged,adding that originally 40 shopkeepers were ousted but allotments were made to 160 and and these were fake and needed to be investigated.

Meanwhile,Deputy Commissioner K S Pannu said inquiries into these allegations had been conducted in the past and they had found nothing amiss. On the demand for CBI probe,he said if the earlier investigations did not find any irregularities then what was the point in conducting a fresh probe into the matter.