PMGSY Scandal: Rs 9 crore siphoned off without work execution
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 02 2012: In yet another scandal related to implementation of Prime Minister Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), around Rs 9 crores sanctioned for construction of roads from Chingai to Tusom via Challou and from Kharasom to Tusom in Ukhrul district have been allegedly siphoned off without proper execution of the works.

Addressing media persons in this regard at MBC Guest House, Chingmeirong here today, N Zimik, Convenor of Educated Unemployed Union, Ukhrul district, alleged that under PMGSY, two agencies, namely, Ms As Thanmi and Ms Mingthing Horam have fraudulently withdrawn a huge amount from the sanctioned fund for construction of roads in different parts of Ukhrul district.

Ms As Thanmi was awarded work for construction of road from Chingai to Tusom via Challau.

The work was awarded to Thanmi under Phase V (1) of PMGSY, package number-0904 with a tender amount of Rs 12294 lakhs.

The distance of the road to be constructed is 15 kms, Zimik disclosed.

Zimik further informed that under the said programme, the contractor has not done any work other than removing grasses from the old road.

There is also no culvert, retaining wall, press wall etc.

But the agency in connivance with the engineers concerned has overdrawn Rs 27612 lakhs against tender amount of Rs 12294 lakhs.

In continuation of the same work programme, Zimik went on to inform, special contractor Ms Mingthing Horam was entrusted with execution of the remaining road construction from Chingai to Tusom via Challau under phase-V (2), package number 908 with a tender amount of Rs 31879 lakhs.

The distance to be covered is from 15-30 kms.

However, Mingthing Horam has withdrawn the whole amount without executing any work.

This clearly indicates that the engineers concerned are behind in glove with the contractor in misappropriating the fund provided for construction of the road from Chingai to Tusom via Challau, which is the only short cut to reach Tusom, he charged.

Zimik further charged that under PMGSY-2009 tender, a work order was issued to Ms Mingthing Horam for construction of road from Kharasom to Tusom at an estimated cost of Rs 40883955 lakhs.

However, in this case, the contractor started work over a distance of only few metres and left out the entire stretch from New Tusom to Tusom.

Zimik appealed to the Minister concerned for taking up action against the defaulting contractors immediately so as to put an end to such fraudulent withdrawal of funds without executing any assigned works in future.

He also urged for blacklisting the agencies namely Ms As Thanmi and Ms Mingthing Horam so that justice could prevail.

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