UP govt blacklists Sulabh International

LUCKNOW, DEC 15: Sulabh International, which has made a mark in executing low cost sanitation projects in the country, has been blackliste...

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LUCKNOW, DEC 15: Sulabh International, which has made a mark in executing low cost sanitation projects in the country, has been blacklisted by the Uttar Pradesh Government for alleged irregularities in its functioning. “The decision to this effect was taken after surfacing of various irregularties in its modus operandi.

The government order of 1997, by which Sulabh had entered into a contract with the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), has subsequently been cancelled,” SUDA secretary S R Lakha said. The state government has decided not to allot any new work to Sulabh under the low cost sanitation [LCS] projects, part of the Scavengers Liberation Programme.

It also directed the district magistrates of 10 districts to verify the works, undertaken by Sulabh. Lakha said the Bihar-based NGO had been directed to deposit Rs 4 crore which was not utilised by it along with the interest accrued on it, in the account of SUDA.

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The state government had decided to complete the pending work through the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam and the Non-Conventional Energy Development Agency [NEDA], he added.

Lakha said the state government would issue a recovery certificate against Sulabh, if it failed to deposit the amount. The work worth Rs 26 crore was allotted to Sulabh in the state. He said the governing body meeting of SUDA had expressed dissatisfaction over the work undertaken by Sulabh. The work was delayed at several places, quality of work was found to be lacking besides various financial rules were found to be flouted. Lakha said the NGO was given 50 per cent of advance, which invited objection from the finance department.

Besides, it was allowed 12 per cent of administrative charges and nine per cent of recovery charges, which again was non-permissible for NGOs. The meeting was also informed that the Sulabh people used to deposit advance money in its account and executed the work by the interest it earned on it. The NGO had still had Rs 4 crore left with it unutilised, he said.