Imphal, December 05 2010: Refuting the allegation of fund misuse, Chief Engineer of Public Works Department (PWD) M Lokeshore has clarified that there is no question of 12th Finance Commission granting Rs 354 crores to Manipur for the maintenance of Inter-Village Roads (IVRs), Other District Roads (ODRs) and Major District Roads in Manipur for a period of five years.

Addressing a press conference in this connection today afternoon, the Chief Engineer pointed out that contrary to what was reported in some section of the media, the 12th Finance Commission sanctioned only Rs 76.96 crores for the maintenance of these roads in Manipur for the period 2005-2010 .

The sanctioned fund too has to be released in two instalments in a year.

the amount to be released in a year is Rs 19.24 crores.

However, the fund was not released during 2005/2006, the Chief Engineer said.

He explained that during 2006-2007, Rs 19.24 crores had been released, Rs 9.62 crores during 2008-2009 and again Rs 19.24 crores during 2009-2010 .

The amount of Rs 9.62 crores received during 2008-2009 was the first instalment and the Finance Commission has communicated that the remaining instalment of Rs 9.62 crores would not be provided any more.

As such, although Rs 76.96 crores was reported to have been granted under the 12th Finance Commission for the maintenance of the roads, the actual amount that was released/received was only Rs 66.34 crores, he added.

Furthermore, the Chief Engineer explained that the fund thus sanctioned for the maintenance of the roads cannot be utlised by the Department or the Minister concerned in the way they like.

There is a high level committee of the Government with Chief Secretary as the chairman and Secretary Finance and Secretary Works as member which monitor the utilisation of the fund and maintenance of the roads is done only after the approval of the said committee.

Again, the activities of the high level committee of the State Government are being monitored by a review committee of the Government of India.

Since the nature of the work is only maintenance of the existing roads, no Minister can utilise the fund sanctioned for the maintenance of the road on his/her inspection tour, the Chief Engineer said.

As no fund for maintenance has been allotted under the 13th Finance Commission, maintenance of the buildings of Public Works Department is not going to be possible, the Chief Engineer added.

Comment