Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 07:
Even as a number of contractors have been caught in the docks over the non release of Cash Drawal Authority since March, the last financial year, matter has come to light that the State Finance Department did release a CDA of Rs 8 crores for the Works Department on the sly.
Speaking to The Sangai Express a well placed source said that the CDA of Rs 8 crores was dated June 10, 2004 and was issued under the heads, 3054-Roads and Bridges (Non Plan) Rs 1 crore and 5054 CO on Roads and Bridges (Plan) Rs 7 crores.
The total amount of Rs 8 crores was to cover four divisions namely, Bishnupur (Rs 3.5 crs), Senapati (Rs 1 cr), Tamenglong (Rs 2 crs) and Imphal West (Rs 1.5 crs), said the source adding that some of the bills were also transferred to other divisions for a fat commission.
Though the CDA was issued, majority of the contractors were kept in the dark and the benefits of the CDA was made available to only one/two contractors, deemed close to the Government/Ministers.
The validity of the CDA is till September 30 this year, said the source adding that the whole amount may have been withdrawn and encashed.
In fact a cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh was issued in the name of a particular contractor after the CDA was issued, said the source detailing that the cheque issued was dated June 26, 2004 with its code number given as C 823562.Another CDA authorizing the withdrawal of Rs 5 crores has also been issued on the sly, alleged the source.
When The Sangai Express contacted representatives of the Manipur Hills and Plain Contractors Association, they questioned why the fresh CDA was issued, while their bills which were issued before March this year, have lapsed and they cannot encash them now.
Venting their frustrations, the contractors said that though they had fixed meetings with the Chief Minister on four occasions to present their position, all the meetings were cancelled at the last minute without furnishing any reason.
Bills worth about Rs 80 lakhs are yet to be encashed since March, they said and added that another Rs 46 crores are yet to be released as the Govt has withheld the CDA.