Ministry de-sanctions highway work
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 07 2015 : For fraudulent allotment of contract works regarding the development work from Singjamei to Manipur University section of Imphal-Moreh highway, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has de-sanctioned the same work.

For development of the 3.33 Kms long highway section under periodic renewal, MoRTH sanctioned Rs 473.63 crore to the State Government.

Though the same section forms a portion of National Highway, the State Government held tender process in accordance with the sanctioned amount.

No official of MoRTH was involved in the tender process.

Notably, The Sangai Express (both English and Manipuri editions) carried news reports on April 12 and April 17 this year which pointed to certain lapses and anomalies in the tender process.

Work underway along the Imphal-Moreh route near the NRL oil pump at Kakwa

After receiving complaint(s) about the fraudulent tender process, the Ministry started monitoring the whole process.

Soon after learning that the contract work has been allotted through fraudulent procedure, MoRTH directed the State PWD to suspend execution of the same contract work until further notice.

Subsequent upon the Ministry's directive, Special Class Contractor Md Nashir was given a written intimation on May 21 to suspend execution of the contract work.

However, in spite of the written intimation, the same contract work is being executed and it is now over by almost 70 per cent.

On the other hand, the same road development work has been de-sanctioned by the Ministry which has created a dilemma.

It is not sure whether the contractor should be paid from the State exchequer or whether a detailed argument should be submitted to MoRTH against de-sanctioning the particular work, informed an official source.

However, the State Government has not been saying anything.

In case the State Government is keeping silent for it knows that there were anomalies in the tender process, it is possible that the contractor may be paid from the State exchequer through fraudulent procedures.

This is the first time that MoRTH has de-sanctioned a particular contractor after the same work has been executed half way through.

The letter written by the Assistant Executive Engineer (NER), Director General and Special Secretary, MoRTH to the State PWD Secretary on May 28 about de-sanctioning the particular work should not be taken casually, said the official.

The schedule of rate given in the de-sanction letter was based on 2013 which means it is not compatible with the present rate.

As such there is a need to revise the estimate.

It is reported that the same work has been de-sanctioned to re-estimate the highway development work based on the schedule of rate currently in vogue and after taking consideration of the existing condition of the highway section.

Even though MoRTH cited incompatible schedule of rate for de-sanctioning the particular work, it has taken serious note of the fraudulent procedures adopted in allotting contract for the same work.

As such, there is a likelihood of de-sanctioning all other highway development works sanctioned under periodic renewal of National Highways, added the official.