MPCC demands white paper on rejected PWD projects
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 10 2022:
Congress party has demanded a high level enquiry and furnishing of a white paper on rejection of 1255 projects previously listed for execution by state PWD in 60 assembly constituencies of the state.
Addressing media persons in this regard at Congress Bhawan Tuesday, MPCC president K Meghachandra said a total of 1255 projects worth Rs 668.68 crore from both plan and non-plan sources for the year 2020 -21 were to be taken up by state PWD.
Tender for the projects were already floated and works for some projects initiated.
However, government issued an order rejecting all the projects on the ground that state's finance department did not granted expenditure sanction for the projects, Meghachandra said while terming rejection of the projects altogether unreasonable.
According to the MPCC president, none of the Opposition members raised objection when budget for the PWD was introduced for consent in the assembly as the amount was meant for development of roads and bridges.
However, missing of the fund already passed in the state assembly raised suspicion among public if the huge fund has been misused by the government in collusion with PWD officials in form of organised loot, he said and urged the government to produce a white paper after proper investigation.
Various road development projects were announced during Go to Village and Go to Hills programmes of chief minister but rejection of 1255 projects for development of roads and bridge tantamount to branding the local MLAs as cheaters/liars, Meghachandra opined.
Contractors had deposited Rs 40.11 crore to government for taking up the projects but sudden rejection of the projects put them on jeopardy, he said and urged the government to produce a white paper on the missing fund.
He also said that rejection of the projects means that state PWD did no works in a year and the missing fund must be unearthed.