PANDM alleges anomaly in project
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 16 2020:
Some unscrupulous officials have smeared the efforts of the State Government to save the academic career of students amidst the COVID-pandemic and the Education Minister seems to be protecting them knowingly or unknowingly, said Rosnikanta Takhelcha, secretary IPR, People's Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM) in a statement, today.
He said that building construction of DM University and Engineering College, Heirok began only after the blueprint was drawn by the architecture of the Education Engineering Wing and to avoid mishaps, staff of the architecture section frequently inspected the spots.
However, an anomaly was detected in the estimate prepared for the project, which seeks Government approval, Rosnikanta claimed adding that the news reached PANDM and other students bodies, shortly after.
Since then, leaders of different bodies started investigating the issue on their own, he stated and added that the student's bodies have also urged the State Government to look into the matter.
Further claiming that the signature of the architect who drew and designed the blueprint wasn't found in the file of the project, Rosnikanta alleged that the signature of Principal Architecture of BBS Architecture, Benson Chabungbam, who has 'no link' with the project, was found instead.
After further investigation, Benson was summoned by the AIMS and DESAM on July 16 and there he clarified that the blueprint wasn't his and he only signed the file on the advice of Chief Engineer, he alleged.
Rosnikanta asserted that a private firm was brought into the project, despite the department having its Engineering Wing, to add a few more crores into the estimate.
Claiming that no actions have been initiated against the officials involved, and the case is lying idle at the Vigilance Department, Rosnikanta asked why the investigation was stopped midway.
Rosnikanta then urged the State Government, particularly the Education Minister to take disciplinary actions against the Chief Engineer and the staff involved at the earliest.