Ngajokpa clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 10 2014: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa who is also the chairman of the Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency (MSRRDA) has categorically stated that there was not a single case of misuse of funds sanctioned for Prime Minister Gram Sarak Yojana (PMGSY) .

Reacting to a statement of Trinamool Congress MLA Th Shyamkumar as reported in local media on November 8, Francis Ngajokpa stated that all PMGSY works were implemented under stringent guidelines of the Ministry of Rural Development and National Rural Roads Development Agency (NRRDA) .

Speaking to media persons at his Secretariat office today, Francis Ngajokpa claimed that contract works were allotted to qualified contractors through e-tender and there was no room for undue interference by the department.

Contractors who qualified in the technical bid were again made to compete against each other at the second stage of financial bid.

As per the Ministry's guideline to allot contract to the lowest bidders, contractors bid at minus rate during the e-tender process.

Even as the department appealed repeatedly to bid for the tender at scheduled rate, the contractors paid no heed.

When the contractors submitted their profiles at the time of tender, they were all special class contractors.

But when it came to work execution, many sub-contractors came into the picture.

Even though the department is aware of this practice, it cannot do anything because it is allowed by the Ministry, Francis Ngajokpa said.

PMGSY works are being monitored by programme implementing units, State quality monitors, national quality monitors and senior engineers of the State Government from time to time.

Yet, roads in different areas got damaged due to landslide, heavy rainfall, flood or movement of heavy vehicles continuously.

The allegation that officials of the department took money at the time of issuing work orders was baseless.

A notification for exclusion of contractors who could not complete works of PMGSY phase VII from the e-tender process of phase X was already issued in March 2011 .

Given all these facts, MLA Shyamkumar's allegations were blatant attempts to tarnish the department's image, said the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister.

Many officials of the department have been facing many difficulties including threats.

Had Shyamkumar stated only the facts, he would have been most welcomed, Francis added.

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