No PMGSY funds misappropriated so far, says Minister Francis Ngajokpa
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 10 2014: Refuting the news report published in local daily newspapers on November 9 last wherein MLA Shyamkumar of All India Trinamool Congress Manipur State charged Francis Ngajoka, Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj with misappropriation of funds sanctioned for implementation of Prime Minister's Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), the latter has clarified that implementation of PMGSY works in the State is being carried out strictly based on the guidelines of Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and National Rural Roads Development Agency (NRRDA).

Addressing a press meet at the conference hall of RD & PR at Old Secretariat today, Minister Ngajokpa reiterated that there are two components of work under PMGSY i.e.construction and routine maintenance works, each having its specific timeline for completion period and elaborated that after the completion of the construction work, the entrusted contractors have to continue its routine maintenance works for a period of five years.

No PMGSY funds misappropriated so far, says Minister Francis Ngajokpa

Saying that maintenance works are being monitored and reviewed by agency on regular basis, he termed the allegation leveled by MLA Shyamkumar as 'unfounded' and 'baseless'. PMGSY works are awarded only to the Special Class contractors registered under State PWD in the case of Manipur and First Class contractors of CPWD, MES, Railways and NHAI for others; the Minister further clarified.

Stating that e-tender for awarding PMGSY works are being carried out as per the Standard Bidding Documents (SBD) prescribed by NRRDA/MoRD giving no room for manipulation, he expressed that the charge made by MLA Shyamkumar that he took money from the concerned contractors for awarding works of the scheme is an attempt to malign his image.

Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency (MSRRDA) had already issued necessary notification before the public for those contractors who have not completed works of the scheme up to Phase VII for which work orders issued prior to March 2011 will not be allowed to participate in the e-tender of PMGSY Phase X works, he added.

Contending that funds sanctioned for implementation of the scheme works in the State have been not misused so far, the Minister asserted that he is not running after power and money but shouldering responsibility to work for betterment of the people.