The residents of Bhalessa area in Doda district have been grappling with the prolonged delay in the completion of the Government Treasury Building, which has been under construction for the past 14 years. Despite the allocation of substantial funds, the building remains unfinished, causing significant hardships for the local population.
Local activist Mohd Yaseen expressed concerns over possible misappropriation of funds by some government employees and the construction agency, calling for a thorough investigation into the matter. He stated that the suffering endured by the people of Bhalessa demands accountability.
Baldev Singh, a local Sarpanch, expressed astonishment at the apparent mismanagement of approximately 50-60 lakh rupees, with no prior investigations conducted to address these financial irregularities. Despite the substantial funds allocated, the construction of the building remains incomplete, leaving the public in a state of frustration.
Zakir Hussain, a treasury officer, shed light on the difficulties faced by his department due to the absence of a proper building. “Many pensioners and other individuals visit our office, and we are unable to provide them with adequate services due to congestion, as we are confined to a single room,” he lamented. “We have completed all the necessary formalities, but it remains unclear why the construction agency has not handed over the building to us,” he added.
The construction of the Government Treasury Building in Bhalessa began in 2010 under the supervision of the R&B Gandoh agency, with an estimated budget of Rs 50.66 lakhs. Regrettably, the project was abandoned midway, citing insufficient funds as the primary reason for the halt in construction.
With a population of around one lakh representing Bhalessa, and 47 DDOs connected to the treasury officer, alongside over 700 pensioners affiliated with the office, the delay in completing the treasury building adversely affects a significant portion of the local populace.
Local residents have appealed to the administration to take immediate action in investigating the financial discrepancies and irregularities surrounding the government exchequer, as well as expedite the completion and handover of the long-awaited treasury building to the concerned department. The prolonged delay has left the people of Bhalessa longing for a resolution to their pressing concerns.
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Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times
