Has MPHC become a haven for corrupt people?
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 22, 2013: Questions have been raised from different quarters whether the Manipur Police Housing Corporation (MPHC), which is being run by the Chief Secretary as its Chairman and a senior IPS officer as its Managing Director, has become a haven for corrupt officials and contractors.

As per the instruction of the Managing Director of MPHC, the bill for a supply work was passed one day before its supply order was issued.

Surprisingly, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed on the same day of issuance of the said supply order.

According to a reliable source, the Executive Engineer-4 (Stores) of MPHC N Bobo issued a work order for supply of AC Sheet Rhino Duro Board and tiles (ivory) to one M/S Rhoy Enterprises of Keishampat Mutum Leikai on December 27, 2012. However, the process for passing the bill was initiated one day before the issuance of the supply order on December 26, 2012.The Section Officer (SO) of the Stores submitted a bill of Rs.1.31 crores to the Executive Engineer (EE) by skipping the table of Assistant Engineer (AE).

The submission of SO to EE mentioned that M/S Rhoy Enterprises had expressed its intention of supplying the Rhino boards and tiles at the rates lower than other firms.

Notably, the bill of Rs.79,96,800 for supply of Rhino boards and Rs.59,97,600 for supply of tiles (in total Rs.1,31,94,400) was forwarded for approval to the Managing Director.

The bill was then approved by the Administrative Officer (AO) and LK Haokip (Managing Director of MPHC at that time) on December 26, 2012. On further investigation by Hueiyen Lanpao into the matter, it was found out that the firm had supplied low quality floor tiles manufactured by one Super Star Ceramics.

The maximum retail price (MRP) printed on the box containing 10 tiles measuring 300 mm X 300 mm each is Rs.260 and so the retail price of a single tile would be Rs.26.But, the supply order and bill mentioned that the price of a single tile is Rs.72.A sum of Rs.59,97,600 was disbursed for supplying 83,300 tiles.

It was found out that Rs.38, 31, 800 was withdrawn in excess by overpricing the tiles.

Moreover, the Rhino boards were also supplied by M/S Rhoy Enterprises at the rate much higher than the market price.

Thus, lakhs of rupees have been withdrawn fraudulently by the officials and contractors.

In the interests of some people, an MoU was also signed between the firm in question and MHPC for supply of floor tiles and Rhino Boards.

The misconduct of MHPC is not just limited to supply works.

There have also been instances of malpractice in recruitment during the tenure of one of the MDs.

As many as 20 contractual employees of MHPC were regularized through a clandestine DPC.

As a result of such unauthorized regularization, the MPHC now spends more than Rs.25 lakhs monthly in salaries.

Earlier, it was only about Rs.23 lakhs per month.

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