Bill withdrawn sans work execution in Thoubal
Source: The Sangai Express / Kennedy Chakpram
Thoubal, May 09 2014 :
An amount of Rs 20 lakh sanctioned for construction of drain at Thoubal Wangmataba Sorok Makha under urban development programme of MAHUD Department has been reportedly withdrawn without constructing any drain.
Surprisingly, the order issued by MAHUD Commissioner S Sunderlal Singh pertained to different contract works which should be executed within the jurisdiction of Thoubal Municipal Council but it contained one item for construction of drain at Singjamei Okram Leikai in Imphal West district at the estimated cost of Rs 60 lakh.
Local people and a team of media persons today visited the area where the drain should be constructed but no sign of drain construction could be seen.
The area was found overgrown with shrubs and grasses.
Later a press meet was held at the office of the Social Service and Welfare Association (SSWA), Thoubal Wangmataba Hospital Maning Leikai.
According to the SSWA general secretary, no Government sponsored development programme was implemented in their locality even though it is located within Thoubal Municipal Council Ward No 1 at the heart of Thoubal district headquarters.
In the meantime, an amount of Rs 20 lakh sanctioned for construction of drain along the road to Sofia English School was withdrawn without ever executing the contract work.
The amount was sanctioned by an order issued by MAHUD Commissioner on October 10, 2013 .
In accordance to the sanction order, development works supposedly executed under urban development programme of Thoubal Municipal Council are construction of drain at Y Achou Mapa, Ward No 7 (estimated cost Rs 20 lakh), construction of drain and culvert at Tembi Khongnangkhong, Thoubal Athokpam (estimated cost Rs 20 lakh), construction of Mayai Lambi, Thoubal (estimated cost Rs 10 lakh), construction of drain at Singjamei Okram Leikai (estimated cost Rs 60 lakh), construction of drain at Thoubal Wangmataba from NH 39 near Manishang School to Pukhri Achouba Taba (estimated cost Rs 20 lakh) and construction of drain at Thoubal wangmataba near Sophia English School (estimated cost Rs 20 lakh) .
Taking strong exception to the fraudulent withdrawal of bill, a public meeting was held on April 29 and decided to apprise the local MLA with an appeal to take up more development works at Thoubal Wangmataba.
But all the efforts to inform the local MLA were objected from different quarters, said the general secretary.
If the concerned authorities cannot pull up the defaulter(s) by May 25, different modes of intense agitation would be launched, he added.