CBI probe likely into 8 MoD contracts in Kargil

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 11

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is all set to recommend a CBI probe against 13 persons, including Military Engineering Service (MES) and the Army personnel, for bungling in eight building contracts related to troop welfare projects in Kargil.

Eight contracts for separate works were allotted to a firm in 2012. A probe by the vigilance cell of the MoD — dealing with the MES and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) — was launched in 2016 after questions were raised in the matter. In October 2018, the progress in a series of cases was reviewed and the probe was intensified. It has now been found that the contractor was overpaid for the work he carried out. The quality of the work and material was of “very poor quality”. There are glaring gaps in accounting of stores and accounts books.

Sources said the civil works related to troop welfare and habitat were of strategic nature. These were in poor condition and the officers at the brigade at Kargil expressed their concern over poor construction.

Over 100 such cases of alleged corruption are being processed.