K Pro yet to buy machines and vehicles despite ' 15 crore sanctioned by govt
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 21 2011: Even though ' 15 crores had been provided as advance payment for buying machines and vehicles for the multi-crore phumdi cleaning project in Loktak lake to New Delhi based K Pro Infra Works Private Limited, the company is yet to buy it.

The company assured the state government to buy the machines and vehicles within September 15.As per an official source, ' 15 crore had been withdrawn by the authority of K Pro Infra Works Private Limited around five months back.

When the LDA learnt that the company have not bought the machines and vehicles with the released amount, LDA Project Director issued a show cause notice to the company on May 20 .

In reply to the show notice, the company assured of procuring the machines and vehicles within a three-month period, that is within September 15, 2011 .

It is pertinent to mention that the NHRC is investigating into the alleged scam in the award of the multi-crore phumdi cleaning project to K Pro Infra Works Private Limited on the alleged charge of its not having an office in New Delhi.

An official of the LDA told Hueiyen Lanpao that the phumdi cleaning project in Loktak lake was taken up with ' 364 crores sanctioned as Special Plan Assistant (SPA) by Planning Commission of India under the project Short Term Action Plan for Conservation and Management of Loktak lake.

K Pro Infra Works Private Limited was awarded the work on November 2, 2009 and ground work of phumdi clearing commenced from January 6, 2010 .

So far, 30% of the phumdi has been cleared and as per the term of agreement, the work is to be completed by March 2012 .

But, the company may fail to meet the targeted achievement as the work was suspended for three months due to the prolonged economic blockade on the national highways in Manipur in 2010, officials of the LDA said.

The phumdi cleaning was also not in progress during February and March of this year due to the low level of water in the lake.

With the rise of the water level the floating phumdi started moving towards Ninthoukhong and Phubala sides from Mayang Imphal areas, and the phumdi cleaning work is in progress, the official disclosed.

The officer further maintained that government is working for rehabilitation of around 1100 fishermen affected by the project under Sustainable Resource Development and Livelihood Improvement Programme.

Under the programme, government is targeting to rehabilitate 99% of the fishermen residing in the floating phumdi by providing dwelling centres in land areas and provide alternative means of livelihood, he further maintained.

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