PHED Chief Engineer clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 03 2016 : PHED Chief Engineer Haobam Sunil has clarified that the points raised by one Kh Prakash except corruption charges need no reply as any sane person having slight knowledge of the functioning of the State administration would surely understand it.

It shall be understood that PHED is functioning under the PHE Minister and its Secretariat office is manned by Additional Chief Secretary (PHE) and not under the whims of the Chief Engineer.

Regarding corruption charges, Sunil said that he can proudly say that he has been a corruption free officer throughout his long 34 years in service and shall remain the same.

Everybody knows that e-tender from the manufacturer is one of the means to avoid corruption and nepotism, he added.

As per the instruction issued by the Finance Department, all the procurement (Rs 20 lakhs and above) are to be done through e-tender with effect from October 1, 2013 .

Here, the role of the Chief Engineer is just to initiate the e-tender process as directed but the final recommendation is made by the Higher Tender Committee (HTC) chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) along with other members including Additional Chief Secretary (PHE), CE and other members, he said and added that the ultimate approval is given by the Minister concerned.

The work was handed over to Simplex as the company won the e-tender, he added.

Regarding the allegation of 10 percent cut, Sunil said that he does not have any idea if any such practices were followed before he took over as the Chief Engineer on September 1, 2014.After he took over as the CE, he has not come across any such allegation, he added.

Transaction or payments are the duties of the Divisional Officers, he added.

Prakash may substantiate any evidence, Sunil said and added that it would be most welcome and it would help the Department to initiate action against the erring officers.

As per Finance Dept order, enlistment of contactors for Engineering Depts is allowed only in PWD and Power Dept.

Hence, it is questionable how Prakash used the name of PHED Contractor Association.

If Prakash further misuses this name in future, the Dept would look into for initiating of legal action, he added.

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