PWD work programme violates practiced norms
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 04 2015:
With just two months before the end of the financial year 2014-15, the state Public Works Department has come out with its work programme, which contained clear indications of some flagrant violations of practiced norms.
Further, it has come to light that a huge chunk of the fund sanctioned under the 12th Finance Commission was exhausted exclusively in the development of Kongun Mamang area and the connecting roads.
According to reliable sources, the department announced on Tuesday that the work programme for the financial year 2014-15 was published on January 31, apparently responding to an exclusive report criticizing its non-existence in this daily.
As per the document, Rs 20 lakhs each have been allocated as the share for 60 assembly constituencies for development of roadways in area within their jurisdiction.
However, the planned amount under the major head 5058 land and bridge meant for development of roads and bridges had been diverted to highway south division.
The unfortunate interpretation of this decision meant that many roads in both hills and valley district that are in dire need of repair will be sacrificed, at least this current financial year.
Meanwhile, the high hopes generated about the expected improvement in road connectivity from the funds directed by the 12th finance commission received a setback as a significant portion was exhausted in the developmental works confined to Konung Mamang area in Imphal east district.
The route between Thangal General Traffic Point and JNIMS Gate traversing Nongmeibung and Ananda Singh Academy, though already in pretty good condition, got another act of kindness in the name of the Sangai Festival.
The route was carpeted again at a cost of Rs 2.70 crores.
Another road, connecting Minuthong to the traffic point was also repaired at an expenditure of Rs 1.70 crores.
The work programme mentioned that Rs Rs 1.70 crores has been earmarked for development of the Thumbuthong-Thangapat Mapal� Govidagram-Govindajee Temple road.
Another sum of Rs 65 lakhs has been earmarked for the development of the section between Old Checkon Traffic point and New Checkon traffic point while Rs 86 lakhs was granted for development of the Pong Poad passing through JNIMS Gate.
More surprises was in store as the road leading to Govindajee Temple from Thumbuthong was allotted Rs 1.70 crore under Imphal division and another sum of Rs 1.20 crores was reserved for the bridge division, PWD for construction of the Old Thumbuthong approach road and retaining wall.
Although there is no legal sanction to the department for giving any amount from either the plan or non-plan budget of the state government for the development works along the national highway, the tardy work programme have allocated Rs 2 crores to national highway division three.
The amount is to be used to develop the road between the intersection of Churachandpur New Bazaar to Hebron Village.
The practiced norm of the department is that the proposed work projects are included in the work programme and afterwards the projects are executed according to the schedule prepared.
However the tradition has been reversed on this occasion as the projects already completed have been inserted into the work programme.
Many experts have expressed their views objecting the changes.
Regarding JNIMS as an important institution it was accorded top priority in the work programme.
Amounts of Rs 40 lakhs and Rs 45 lakhs had been included for construction of its internal roads and sewerage circumscribing the complex.
The only trouble is that the projects had already been completed and the works was inserted late in the work programme.