Imphal, June 23: Taking serious note of charges of withdrawal of Rs 66.99 lakhs without execution of the construction work on the 15-km long road stretch from Chayangpadong to Tusom in Khamasom of Chingai Assembly Constituency as mentioned in the Audit Report of the Accountant General, a team of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the State Legislative Assembly which had gone for a spot inquiry of the work site has come to the conclusion that the report was partly right and partly wrong.

However, according to an official source, the amount had been misappropriated after submitting a false report of completing the work on rock cutting and expansion of the road covering a distance of 15 kilometres from Chayang-padong to Tusom Christian village within eight days.

Without the expansion or improvement of the road condition, only the potholes have been filled up on the road where Shaktiman could move about earlier.

The PAC team led by its Chairman O Joy yesterday personally inspected the condition of the road starting from Chayangpadong, the starting point of road work, upto Koyokona, covering a distance of 9 kms.

As there might be some difficulties in proceeding till Tusom Christian Village, the end point of the road, and then return back the same day, in view of the swelling Chalou river and time constraints, the PAC team turned back after telling the village leaders to come down to Ukhrul town.

The other members of the PAC team include leader of the Opposition Group Radhabinod Koijam, Y Erabot, Dr Kh Ratankumar and Dr Khasim Ruivah, who is also the elected representative of Chingai AC.

Deputy AG of Accountant General VS Jadon and other State officials accompanied the team during the nspection.

Leaders of Tusom Christian Village met the PAC team at Ukhrul this morning and discussed various issues The PAC team made it clear that they have seen the condition of the road and despite the claim of rock cutting, the execution of the road construction work was not satisfactory and asked the opinion of the village leaders.

To this the village leaders maintained that the condition of the road has been improved so much that even two wheelers can move about as the potholes have been filled up properly.

When the PAC team questioned on the purpose of the road work in the area where there is no human habitation, the village leaders asserted that it is only route that would solve the problem of road communication that used to be faced by the people of around 10 villages located in the area.

The village leaders also expressed their gratitude to the contractor for the good work done.

On the other hand, the villagers complained the construction of a bridge over Chalou river which was started way back in 1992 while Dr Horam was the MLA has been stalled as the required iron rods have not been provided to which PAC team assured that the matter would be brought up to the notice of the Government for early completion of the work and appealed to the villagers to extend their co-operation in this regard.

Talking to mediapersons at the occasion, PAC Chairman O Joy said although there are signs of execution of the work still there is disparity in the amount of the fund sanctioned and the work executed.

So there is no question of withdrawal of the fund without executing the work.

Nonetheless Committee would look into what necessary action can be taken in this regard, he assured.

While pointing out that the road in question is a very important route which has can pass through Sora State, Joy maintained that it would help in protection of the border area.

However, according to an official source, the widening of the road is not in tune with the guidelines given in the work order .

No culvert have been used along the road and shingling had not been done properly even if the full amount had been withdrawn.

Issuing of work on the basis of letter of interest is in contravene to the manual of the PWD, the official source added.

Officials of the PWD who were part of the inspection team disclosed that the work order for construction of the road had been given to one Khasim of Tusom Christian Village.

The total sanctioned amount of the work was Rs 80 lakhs while the tender amount was Rs 66.95 and the work order had been issued in March 2005. Later during the day, the PAC team inspected the construction work of the Mini Secretariat at Ukhrul which is currently going on at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crores.

The PAC team expressed satisfaction on seeing that 22 percent of the work has been completed already and gave instruction to the officials concerned for controlling the quality of the work.

The site for setting up a bus terminal at Ukhrul for which a sum of Rs 5 lakhs had already been sanctioned although the work has not yet been started and the existing condition of the water supply scheme were also inspected by the team.

The inspection team expressed concern over lack of quality control in the construction of the office building of ITI at Ukhrul apart from monitoring the condition of the road leading to Ukhrul District Hospital.

Taking advantage of the visit of the PAC team, representatives of Ukhrul based student organisations and public leaders highlighted the problem of lack of necessary infrastructures and other facilities being faced by the people.

After listening to all the complaints of the people, O Joy observed that functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) system of the Government has failed in Ukhrul and the district administration has not been able to perform its duty efficiently.

Comment