Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 08:
State Government is yet to initiate action against guilty contractors despite inquiry reports being submitted on alleged withdrawal of bills without implementing the assigned tasks.
According to a reliable source, Government ordered for an enquiry and spot verification on the matter involving Minor Irrigation Department with the inquiry report subsequently submitted in October last.
The probe was ordered into alleged withdrawal of the bill amounting to nearly Rs 3.90 lakhs by three contractors for separate works allocated at Sinam Khunou, Nongpok Sekmai and Langathel Pangalkhong.
Of the total amount implementing agency of the Sinam khunou P/W Improvement, one K Joychandra withdrew Rs 80,000 while Md Tayeb grossed Rs 1,10,000 for similar work at Chongabon (Nongpok Sekmai) and the other implementing agency Y Thoiba Singh Rs 2 lakhs for P/W construction at Langathel Pangalkhong.
The amount were withdrawn in March 2000 without executing the tasks following which State Government ordered a probe headed by an Executive Engineer.
Illustrating details on the cheque numbers issued to the three agents by concerned EE, the source disclosed that records of measurement, check measurement, contractors' signature and bill voucher were found missing during the inquiry.
During spot verifications conducted by none other than the MI Minister along with Secretary (MI) and Chief Engineer concerned detected that the assigned works were not executed but bills, withdrawn.
On what ground the Executive Engineer concerned A Kalachand Singh issued the cheques are yet to be ascertained, said the source.
Instead of taking necessary action against the guilty persons involved in the fund embezzlement, the source added that another inquiry ordered into the same case by a Commissioner level official is nowhere in sight of arriving at its logical end further supplementing the suspicion that similar misconduct by contractors in connivance with department officials are continuing unabated.