Imphal, March 05: Even as an ion analyser machine bought by the Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in 1994 has failed and lying non-utilised, some ion analyser electrodes worth Rs 70,000 which should fitted to the machine were also purchased.

The ion analyser machine which costs Rs 3 lakhs approximately known as Peanut or Ion Micro II or Ion Meter II was bought in October 1994.The machine was used in measuring the quantity of ions present in water.

However, the machine failed not long after it was installed and it has been lying unused since then.

A reliable source informed The Sangai Express that the Ion Meter II was supplied by the Toshiwal Process Instrument Private Limited based at Ajmer, Rajasthan.

The machine is a highly sophisticated one, it said.

The machine was installed at Imphal by the experts of the company.

They also taught some officials of the MPCB on how to operate the machine.

However, after some time before the expiry of guarantee period, the machine failed due to inability of the MPCB officials to operate it.

The machine is currently at an television repairing shop located at Nagamapal.

In the meantime when the machine cannot be operated, the MPCB issued a supply order to Sharma Bros located at Paona Bazar for purchasing five ion analyser electrodes worth Rs 70,000 approximately.

The supply order was issued on February 13 last year and its bill was prepared by the Principal Scientific Officer on February 15 of the same month, disclosed the source.

On the same day, sanction order of Rs 70,000 for the supply was issued by the Member Secretary. Interestingly, of the five electrodes supplied by the Sharma Bros, they were provided by the Toshiwal Process Instrument Private Limited as accessories of the machine.

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