Imphal, May 10: Informing that the total liability of the Government for works done in respect of the four Engineering Departments of the Government as on March 31, 2007 is a whooping Rs 348.30 crores, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has expressed serious concerned over the immense work orders that are not reflected in the budget and programmes.

Of the total liability amount, PWD takes the biggest share with Rs 224.52 cores, PHED Rs 14.99 crores, IFCD Rs 31.79 crores and Electricity Department with Rs 77 crores, the Chief Minister said while responding to a poser raised by Congress MLA E Kunjeshwar Singh during the Question Hour session of the ongoing State Assembly today.

Without cross-checking the annual budget and work programmes, the Departments keep on issuing countless work orders culminating in accumulation of such huge liabilities, the Chief Minister fumed.

He even suggested setting up a House Committee to probe to establish the veracity of the whole matter.

There is also the urgent need to check and streamline the fund divisions amongst the Departments.

Work programmes should also be made according to the budget both for Plan and Non-Plan, he said, while assuring that the matter would be cross-checked thoroughly with the Chief Secretary and the Finance Commissioner.

In response to another question, the Chief Minister, who is also holding the Finance portfolio, said the liabilities shall be cleared subject to availability of funds in the budget.

Supplementing the issue, Kunjeshwar said owning to the huge liabilities indebted in these four Engineering Departments, small scale contractors are facing financial problem to maintain their families.

Supporting the Chief Minister's suggestion, O MPP MLA O Joy of the Opposition group urged the House to set up the House Committee.

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