Poor work standard infuriates Dy CM
Source: The Sangai Express
Moreh, February 12 2014:
Dy Chief Minister Gaikhangam's visit to Moreh to inaugurate the Eklavya Model Residential School was literally reduced to an inspection tour as he had to return without inaugurating them due to the poor standard of the work executed.
Extremely peeved with the standard of the work, he gave strict instruction to have it ready for inauguration.
The Dy CM inaugurated the school building although he deferred inauguration of the hostels due to sub-standard construction.
Dy CM Gaikhangam, who is also in-charge of Tribal Affairs, led a team of officials to Moreh in Chandel district yesterday to inaugurate the school building, hostel and other structures which have been constructed with a total cost of Rs 5.13 crore grant from the Cente.
Dy CM Gaikhangam; MTDC Chairman, T Manga Vaiphei; Parliamentary Secretary (TA), Victor Keishing and Tengnoupal MLA D Korungthang were the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
The dignitaries led by the Dy CM inspected each room of the school building after unveiling the plaque.
Gaikhangam was visibly upset to see the sub-standard plastering of the ceiling, inferior painting quality of the building and sub-standard toilet construction.
The school building was constructed by the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation with fund sanctioned by the Centre.
The Dy CM issued strict instruction to the MTDC Director and concerned engineers to set things in proper order immediately.
Later, coming across sub-standard windows and doors of the hostel building, the Dy CM derisively remarked if there is no superior quality of wood than the ones used for the window and door frames.
Disturbed on seeing the sub-standard construction, the Dy CM refused to inaugurate the hostel buildings saying he would do so after the buildings are completed in a satisfactory manner.
Besides instructing the concerned contractors to conform to standard, Gaikhangam asked the contractors how long they would take for completion of the buildings.
To this, the contractors assured completion within one month.
However, the Dy CM granted two month's time to the contractors and fixed April 15 as the inaugural date for the two hostels.
Speaking at the inaugural programme of the main school building, Gaikhangam said that Rs 5.13 crore is a huge amount while expressing dissatisfaction over delayed completion of the building, construction of which was started in 2006 .
He said that three Eklavya Model Residential Schools were set up in the first phase at Moreh in Chandel district, Saitu-Gamphazol in Senapati and at Tamenglong.
The one at Saitu-Gamphazol was inaugurated a few days back.
Since construction of the school building at Tamenglong is in the process of completion, the same would be inaugurated soon to ensure commencement of session from April this year, he said while adding that the Centre would soon release fund for construction of the school in other districts too.
He said that the schools were set up to provide free education to Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste and economically backward students.
Besides, there is also provision for free uniform, free text books and free hostel facility to the students from Class VI-XII.
He urged people of the surrounding area to consider the school as their own and take good care of it.
Speaking at the occasion, MTDC Chairman Manga Vaiphei recalled his inspection to the school couple of years back saying that some iron rods were found stolen while construction was in progress.
He said that whatsoever, it took long for the completion.
Dy CM Gaikhangam and MLA Korungthang assured that fencing would be put around the building.
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