RED OSD suspended
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 13 2022: One Executive Engineer (in-charge), OSD to the Rural Engineering Department (RED) Chief Engineer has been placed under suspension in connection with sloppy construction of the 15 Kms long Rengpang-Mongjarol Khullen road under PMGSY even though Rs 7 crore has been withdrawn against the same work.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Joint Secretary Ng Roben issued an order on October 11 where EE(i/c), OSD Worthson Sareo was placed under suspension.

Speaking to media persons at his Old Secretariat office today, RD&PR Minister Y Khemchand said that Worthson Sareo has been suspended for signing a bill even though the road construction work was not executed properly.

Another Executive Engineer L Ajit Kumar has been found to have retired.

Nonetheless, the matter has been referred to the DP to see what action can be initiated against him as per rules, Khemchand said.

Regarding Congress MLA K Meghachandra's assertion that all the money sanctioned for construction of New Somtal to Moreh (86 Kms) had been withdrawn barring just Rs 10 lakh, Khemchand maintained that the MLA was speaking based on uncorroborated reports.

Khemchand said that he would provide documents certified by engineers if he (Meghachandra) wants to know the facts.

The RD&PR Minister said that Rs 39.8 crore was sanctioned in 2017-18 for earth work, formation cutting, culverts and protection wall of the particular road.

The road construction work has been completed by 80 per cent and Rs 3.25 crore is still left in the Government account, he said.

A continuation programme was sanctioned for the same road in 2018-19 .

It was stage II and the work was about black-topping the road.

Out of the total sanctioned amount of Rs 46.8 crore, Rs 28 crore has been released whereas the same work has been completed by 60 per cent.

Maintaining that the amount released so far is commensurate to the completed portions of the work, Khemchand suggested that Meghachandra may go with him one day and inspect the road construction work together.

On the allegation that Rs 1,700 crore had been withdrawn through RED without executing the sanctioned works, the RD&PR Minister clarified that he had inspected many PMGSY works being implemented in Chandel, Tengnoupal and Ukhrul districts.

At some places where the quality of the works were found compromised, the engineers and contractors were advised to maintain proper quality.

On visiting again, improvements could be seen at many sites, Khemchand said.

At one place, the road construction work was seen left in a slipshod condition even though a huge amount had been withdrawn but it cannot be termed looting by the BJP Govt, Khemchand said.

He went on to ask whether the Govt can be blamed for fraudulent withdrawal of funds by a contractor.

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