Political interference alleged in delaying completion of Ukhrul ADC building
Source: Hueiyen News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, November 21 2015 :
Nearly one month overdue already, completion of the ongoing construction of the office building of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) Ukhrul is most likely to be delayed further until March next year due to scarce flow of funds and raw materials.
Not surprisingly, political interference has been largely blamed for the sorry state of affairs.
In an independent survey conducted by Hueiyen Lanpao Correspondent, reliable sources have revealed that there has been least negligence on the part of the constructors/contractors in the inordinate delay in completing the new ADC office building but rather undue political interference has stood in the way of its construction progress.
Construction work of the new Ukhrul ADC office building which commenced in June 2013 at the site located opposite the District Mini Secretariat, Hamleikhong is being executed in the name of certain contractors Apam Shimray and Mingthing Horam under the agency-ship of the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation (MTDC), a state government undertaking with financial assistance from the Centre.
On its completion the new building will have a total of 66 office chambers and will accommodate the district ADC chairman and all the councillors of the district apart from other administrative purposes.
"However, it could not be completed on the scheduled deadline because of various hindrances from political quarters," sources have said.
It is alleged that a huge portion of the project funds has been diverted by the concerned authority in connivance with the political bigwigs of the state.
"This being the case, a sum of mere Rs.2.96 crore was allocated for such a major project and even the funds are released in dribs and drabs" .
Sources further disclosed that "so far only about Rs.2 crore have been sanctioned in 3/4 installments of Rs.40/50 lakhs each but this amount meant for other ongoing constructions including staff quarters, security barracks and others" .
"MTDC authorities have assured to supply the raw materials like cement and metal/iron rods but failed to deliver on many occasions leading to the delay in work progress," sources said while adding that with proper flows of funds and raw materials, it could have been completed as scheduled.
Under this circumstances, its completion could only be anticipated by March next, sources informed while lamenting that the concerned authorities have grossly flouted the norms of fund flow.
Meanwhile, talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Ukhrul ADC chairman Dr Yaronso Ngalung said that his council has adopted a resolution to pressurize the relevant authorities to expedite the completion of the new office building.
"If completed in time, all the councillors could have been allotted a chamber each but due to the delay the district council is facing severe hardships and unable to fully function from the present barrack which currently accommodates chairman, vice chairman and four executive members only," he added.
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