Imphal, February 13: Cracking the whip against the forcible acquisition of power of attorney to transfer the work order from one contractor to another as well as voluntary transfer of work through the power of attorney, an inquiry has been initiated against SK Constructions for transferring the work order of Rs 80 lakhs for road repairing works at Ukhrul district to a local man.

As widely reported earlier, the amount of Rs 80 lakhs was found withdrawn without a single work being executed.

Talking to The Sangai Express, a well placed source said that the work order for repairing the roads in Ukhrul district was granted to SK Constructions, Thangal bazar.

However the work order was transferred to a local man through the power of attorney.

Two MLAs from Ukhrul district A Aza and Wungnaoshang Keishing had earlier raised a stink over the withdrawal of Rs 80 lakhs without executing any work and the matter was brought to the notice of the Chief Minister.

Following the hue and cry raised over the scandal, an Officers Committee of the Works Department including its Secretary was formed and the matter was probed.

Now suspicion has been raised over whether the bitumen and other material meant for repairing the works reached Ukhrul district or not, said the source.

SK Construction was granted the work order not only for the repairing work at Ukhrul but also at many other places, said the source and the Chief Secretary himself has issued strict instructions to keep a sharp vigil on the working of the firm.

The Chief Secretary has instructed that the assets of SK Construction including its machinery used in contract work as well as income be probed thoroughly, said the source.

A Vigilance case has already been lodged for the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 80 lakhs for the works in Ukhrul district.

On the other hand, matter has come to light that many Govt authorised contractors have given their work orders to second parties while in some cases, the works have been left uncompleted.

The State Govt has already consulted the Law Dept to take up due course of action against the defaulting contractors.

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