Ex-MLA Vinay Saxena alleges major irregularities in beautification work of Hanumantal Lake

 

 

 Staff Reporter :

 

Former MLA Vinay Saxena has on Friday raised serious allegations of irregularities and corruption in the ongoing renovation and beautification work at the historic Hanumantal Lake, located in the heart of the city. On Friday, he along with Congress leaders submitted a complaint to the Superintendent of Police, Economic Offences Wing (EOW), demanding a thorough investigation. Speaking to reporters after handing over the complaint, Saxena warned that if the EOW fails to initiate a probe soon, he would complain the matter to the Lokayukta.

 

If necessary, he added, he would also approach the High Court. The centuries-old Hanumantal Lake holds religious and cultural significance for local residents. Renovation and beautification work at the site is currently being carried out by the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation. Saxena alleged that the project, which falls under the AMRUT scheme, has been marred by negligence and corruption.

 

He stated that despite grand announcements made by JMC officials and political leaders, basic tasks such as desilting and proper cleaning were not carried out effectively. Water hyacinth and pollutant vegetation are spreading rapidly and silt removal was either superficial or completely ignored. He informed that the Municipal Corporation issued two separate tenders worth over Rs 1.60 crore and awarded them to different contractors. However, due to extremely slow progress, the monsoon season arrived before significant work could be completed. It seemed as though they were deliberately waiting for the rains, he alleged.

 

The former Congress MLA further alleged that the renovation was mostly cosmetic, with machinery and trucks merely put on display. As a result, only a fraction of the sanctioned funds appears to have been genuinely utilised. This has caused widespread anger among the public, he added. In his complaint, Saxena has sought investigation into several specific points including total amount sanctioned for the Hanumantal renovation project, tender rates approved and the actual scope of work as per the DPR, whether all DPR-approved tasks were completed, amount disbursed versus pending, whether the project objectives were achieved, funds received from various departments and whether MP/MLA/Corporator funds were used. Saxena said that with major religious festivals such as Kajaliya, Ganesh Utsav and Durga Utsav approaching, a polluted lake could pose serious problems for idol immersion ceremonies. Saxena reiterated that failure to act early by the EOW would force him to file a complaint with the Lokayukta and if necessary, he will take the matter to the High Court.