State coal quota found selling outside the state
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 19 2011:
Coal quotas of the state from the Central government were sold out to factories outside the state before reaching the state.
Central government control the distribution of coal like the PDS items and Manipur got its quota from 2007-08 after state government insisted the Centre for providing the same with the objective of making available to the people and factories so that felling of trees could be reduced.
Government handed over the transportation of the coal to state to five transport contractors.
Under the contract agreement RK and Co, Chagangei and Shiv Trading, Khurai Thangjam Leikai has to ferry 35 metric tones each, 20 MT by Rani Luxmi Trader, Ahongei and five MT each nu BLL Agency, Thoubal Samram and SP Associate, Wangkhei.
Due to delay in the selection of contractors for the transport, state had lost the allocated coal quotas for the first time in 2007-08.But, after the selection of the transporters, state got the quotas regularly but no a single load of coal reached Imphal as contractors allegedly sold out the quotas to the factories outside the state.
However, involvement of transporters and officials of state consumer affairs, food and public distribution could not be known from the sources even though it hinted of possibility of involvement of some officials of the department and outsiders.
Further, it is learnt from the sources that no tender was called at the time of offering the transport contract to the five transporters which violate the government mandatory process.
Coals to be procured by the transporters include the type of coals meant for using in the factories and for cooking purpose.
The said coals are to be procured from NEC, Assam, ECL, Raniganh and BCCL, Dhanabad.
The quota given by the Centre did not include the type of coal meant for cooking purpose but meant for using at the brickfields and other small industries.
The state quota has a gulf of difference with the coal available in the local markets.
Asked about the non-reaching of state quota, CAF& PD minister N Biren told Hueiyen Lanpao said that at the time when he took the charge of the department, Centre had already cancelled state quota.
He is efforting to get the quota again, Biren said expressing believe of getting the same within the current year.