Imphal, February 19: To verify the newspaper report of alleged withdrawal of money sanctioned by Minor Irrigation Department for taking up some projects in the home constituency of Chief Minister O Ibobi without ever executing the work by the contractors, Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat who is also in charge of the Minor Irrigation today inspected the work sites.

The Minister was accompanied by a team of media persons during his mission.

When the inspection team visited the Arong river dam pick-up wear which is under construction at an estimated cost of Rs 42 lakhs near Athokpam Makha Leikai, AE of Minor Irrigation Division-I, Thoubal Sub-Division L Madhob informed the Minister that after completion 80 percent of the work, an amount of Rs 20 lakhs had been released to the special contractor Y Thoiba as running bill and nothing more.

The AE said that the construction of the Arong river dam pick up wear began April last year and is targeted to be completed by March this year.

When the Minister inquired on another work of the Arong river dam pick wear being constructed across Tronglaobi river near Nepra Company, the officer disclosed that so far Rs 13 lakhs has been released to the special contractor as running bill after completion of 80 percent of the work.

This project is also being targeted to be completed within March this year, AE Madhop said, adding that the project would be able to provide adequate irrigation facilities to Loukons of Nepra Company and Heiyel when completed.

The next stop of the Minister was the Thambal Angangbi Dam which is being constructed across Wangjing river at an estimated cost of Rs 83 lakhs.

There the AE informed the Minister that 90 percent of the work has been completed and dam irrigated around 2000 Paris of paddy field during the recent drought spell.

Only construction of the overhead bridge, shutter, etc remain now and so far Rs 30 lakhs has been released to the special contractor Y Thoiba.

Taking serious note of the complaint raised by the farmers of Sangaiyumpham Part-II and Samaram that the work of the dam on their side have not been implemented properly, the Minister also gave necessary instruction to the AE and Contractor for ensuring properly execution of the work.

When the Minister arrived at the site of the Pick Up wear being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 60 lakhs across Wangjing river at Tentha Thongkhong, AE Madhop informed that 60 percent of the work have been completed and so far only Rs 13 lakhs have been released.

Interesting the, Minister also came across during the inspection trip today, that though the work order has not yet been issued, one contractor had completed 60 percent of the project of fitting a regulator along Manguchin Maril.

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