Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 27 2010:
The loktak Development Authority (lDA), Manipur has rejected the report published by Tehelka and reproduced by two local dalies in Imphal and categorically said that the contract agreement with the K Pro Infra Works Pvt Ltd as regards the work for management of Phumdi in Loktak lake was proper.
Project Director of LDA, Th Ibobi said in a press release issued here today that "the work of Phumdi Management was awarded to K Pro Infra Works Pvt.
Ltd., New Delhi, as a joint venture with Progressive Construction Ltd.
(PCL), a registered company having its head office at 7th floor, Raghava North Block, Raghava Ratna Tower, Chirag Ali Lane, Abids, Hyderabad-1.PCL has a gross turn over of Rs 1019.91 crore on construction works during 2007-08 " .
The press release further pointed out that in response to LDA's tender notice issued on 5th June, 2009, published in 3 (three) National Dailies, viz.
(I).
The Indian Express (16th June, 2009), new Delhi edition, (II).
The Hindustan Times (16th June, 2009), New Delhi Edition, (III).
The Telegraph (18th June, 2009) Kolkata Edition, (copies enclosed) besides 5 (five) local dailies, K Pro Infra Works Pvt.
Ltd., as a joint venture with PCL, submitted tender documents fulfilling all tender norms satisfying the financial and technical eligibility criteria.
"As per the terms of "Contract Agreement" of the said work, a mobilization advance of Rs 16.45 cr was issued to K Pro Infra Works Pvt.
Ltd.
to start the work as stipulated.
The work, targeted to be completed in 2 (two) years ad 3 (three) months, is in progress following its inauguration by Hon'ble Chief Minister, Manipur, on 6th January, 2010.The activities and progress of the work can be seen in various identified work sites located at various places around the lake," Project Director Ibobi further clarified that before the work was awarded to K Pro Infra Works Pvt.
Ltd, in 2009, LDA has been removing Phumdis from Loktak Lake departmentally with limited fund made available to LDA.
The work has been outsourced considering the magnitude of the problems confronting the lake and State Government's commitment to address the issues within a short time frame.
"Brohmo Choudhury, Advisor, Planning Commission, Govt of India, assessed the progress of work by visiting Loktak Lake on 27th January, 2010, and expressed satisfaction in the meeting of the Steering Committee chaired by Chief Secretary, Manipur, which monitors the progress of project implementation every month.
The project is also to be monitored by 2 (two) Third Party Monitoring Institutions as per terms and conditions laid down by Planning Commission for implementation of the project.
Govt of Manipur is also closely monitoring the project works and submitting its reports to the Planning Commission regularly," the Project Director said.
He appealed to the general public "not to believe such unfounded and misleading information in the greater interest of Loktak Lake" .