Imphal, January 17: Setting the record straight, special contractor H Bikramjit who was earlier accused by another contractor, Kh Biren, of forcibly taking over the contract work of constructing the four way lane road on NH-39, Koirengei from 314 km to 317.6 km, today said that there is no question of him using any armed men to procure the power of attorney for the said work.

Addressing media persons at his residence today, Bikramjit said that Biren willingly handed over the power of attorney to him (Bikramjit) to enable the speedy completion of the work before the Oath Commissioner on August 23, 2003.As the work is on the NH, I personally over saw the work taken up there to ensure that there is no compromise of the work quality.

Till date a sum of Rs 1,57,63,636 have been withdrawn for the execution of the said work through four R/A bills, informed Bikramjit and countered how he could withdrawn nearly Rs 2 crores if the work is sub-standard.

Bikramjit further said that while he was away in Guwahati for some ailment, he received news that complaints have been put against the quality of work being executed.

"On receiving this complaint I rushed back to Imphal to personally supervise the work.

However the work had to be suspended after Biren revoked the power of attorney on September 10 last year," explained Bikramjit.

"As Biren had lodged a complaint against me to the Governor over the said work, the Chief Secretary accompanied by the Principal Secretary (Works), Chief Engineer of PWD and the Executive Engineer conducted a spot inspection of the work on January 7.It was only after that the firm of Biren was blacklisted," said Bikramjit and explained that the complaint was lodged to the Governor by Biren to cast him in the wrong light in front of the PWD officers.

No amount was withdrawn after the withdrawal in March last year, clarified Biren and asserted that there is no question of withdrawing any money for the poor quality of work executed in connivance with the Executive Engineer.

The earlier bill was issued after the work was inspected by a Regional Officer of the Gauhati based Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, informed Bikramjit.

The signatures appended on the bill form and measurement book was on the basis of the guidelines given in para four of the special power of attorney, said Bikramjit.

"The accusation raised by Biren that EE Ranbir takes a cut of 15 percent from the contractors to pay the underground organisations is nothing but an attempt to tarnish the image of the officer as well as mine" asserted the aggrieved contractor.

Accusing Biren of procuring work orders and later selling them off to the highest bidder, Bikramjit said that till today Biren has not been able to take up the Tamei-Taning road and Pallel Lokchao bridge.

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