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RDD officials allegedly lobbying to procure solar lights in Kashmir against norms

Some Rural Development Department (RDD) officials have been allegedly lobbying for procuring solar lights in Kashmir division which violate norms.

Sources have alleged that many officials who have links with influential contractors and some recently elected members are willing to procure the solar street lights locally so that they can earn some money through these transactions.

Sources said that these officials were also involved in provoking PRI members and making them anti-Block Development Officers. It has been told to Sarpanchs that they can solely take any decision regarding procurement of solar street lights according to their own will.

Rural Development Department has sent funds amounting to lakhs of rupees to Panchayat Halqas under 14th Finance Commission and Back to Village Program for setting up solar street lights in rural areas of Kashmir. Mohammad Asif, Block Development Officer Larkipora Dooru said that every RDD Block has received around Rs 40 lakh from the administration so that they can install solar street lights in villages.

He said that that they will work according to procedure and norms for procuring solar street lights.

An official spoke on condition of anonymity that when a senior district administration officer of Anantnag saw reports regarding procurement of solar lights, he asked all BDOs to complete this procedure of procuring solar lights through GEM portal or JAKEDA.