Education Engineering Wing has become breeding ground for corruption, favouritism, nepotism: PANDM alleges
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 24 2022:
People's Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM) has urged the State Government to suspend 'the highly corrupt and ineligible Chief Engineer in-charge of the Education Engineering Wing, Education Department (S)' .
PANDM in a statement has alleged that the Education Department which is one of the most important departments of the State is filled with corrupt practices making it a vulnerable and inefficient department.
In view of the gravity of the situation, PANDM formed a special investigation team to probe the matter and to keep a strict vigil over the activities of the department concerned.
The team has found out that Central Government has allotted Rs 96 crores for the construction of Government Polytechnic buildings in 2011-2012 in the eight districts of Manipur namely Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Chandel, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Senapati.
Fifty percent of the funds have been sanctioned already, however the remaining fifty percent is still pending since the authorities concerned have failed to submit the proper utilisation certificate.
When the special investigation team went to the field to check the cause, it was found that the construction was carried out in a low manner without quality control and is not as per the funds sanctioned which is really unfortunate, continued the statement.
Ironically, for the neighbouring State Nagaland, the construction of institutes which started during the same year have already been completed and have even produced batches of engineering and other degree students.
PANDM has maintained that the reason for the failure of the construction of buildings is because of the appointment of an ineligible and corrupt person as the Chief Engineer in-charge of the Education Engineering Wing against the laid rules and regulations.
PANDM has also submitted a written complaint to the Chief Minister, Education Minister, Chief Secretary, Commissioner (Education) and SP Vigilance to probe the matter.
In view of the above matter PANDM also urged the authorities concerned for the formation of a Special Investigation Committee to look into the schemes and projects taken up by the Education Engineering Wing, Education Department (S) .
The organisation further alleged that the Education Engineering Wing has become a breeding ground for corruption, favouritism and nepotism.
It went on to mention that 'the incumbent Chief Engineer in-charge of Education Engineering Wing was appointed in a fraudulent manner by his cousin brother who is the Director of Education (S) defying the norms' .
Lastly PANDM also demanded the suspension of the incumbent Chief Engineer in-charge of Education Engineering Wing who a long history of corruption record ever since his first appointment and his cousin brother who is the Director of Education (S) before the conduct of any form of inquiry.