Row over PMGSY works RD&PR Minister accuses Cong of taking political advantage
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 13 2022: Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (RD & PR) Minister Yumnam Khemchand has accused the Congress party of disregarding the essence of democracy and violating the rules of the House to take political advantage over the issues pertaining to imple-mentation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) projects in Manipur.

Speaking to the media at his office chamber at OId Secretariat today, Y Khem-chand elaborated that MPCC president K Meghachandra uploading a post in social media regarding alleged discrepancy in the implemen- tation of PMGSY projects in certain districts was unconstitutional as the matter has not been tabled in the House and is being probed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Row over PMGSY works RD&PR Minister accuses Cong of taking political advantage

K Meghachandra is the Chairman of PAC.

Alleging that the claims being raised by the MPCC president on implementation of certain PMGSY projects under Rural Engineering Department wasn't based on authentic data, Khemchand continued that the accusation made by the Opposition party about withdrawing over Rs 2000 crore (PMGSY projects) was unfortunate.

He maintained that the Congress party made the accusation without studying the matter properly.

On the charges levelled by the Congress party on construction/maintenance of the 83 Kms long New Somtal-Moreh highway stretch, the Minister said that the project is going on and 65-70 per cent of the work has been completed.

He claimed that the Government had invited the MPCC for joint inspection of the highway stretch but the Opposition party declined.

Continuing that he usually inspected the implementation of PMGSY projects in hill districts every weekend, Khemchand said that the Government has suspended at least four officials for improper execution of works while FIR has been registered against two contractors.

He further said that the Government has written to the Department of Personnel to block the pension of one retired official.

Continuing that the Government has also suspended one Panchayat Secretary, one SO and one GRS for inconsistencies in carrying out MGNREGS scheme too, the Minister stated that a process has been initiated to take actions against three erring MCS officers too.

Y Khemchand informed that implementation of over 300 road packages in both hills and valley districts has already begun under Phase-II of PMGSY.

Saying that he along with the officials concerned have been inspecting the execution of the works so as to complete the projects in time, the RD&PR Minister asserted that befitting actions will be taken up if there is any anomaly.

Clarifying on the corruption charges being levelled by K Meghachandra against the Government , Y Khemchand said that the Government and the officials didn't give any response on execution of two PMGSY packages; MN03101 and MN03102 - Galkapkot to Gamhui Part-II and III as the matter has been already referred to the PAC of Manipur Legislative Assembly.

"Giving any response on the matter would be 'Contempt of House' and 'Breach of Privilege' as the PAC has not yet tabled their report in the House," he continued.

He further stated that the Rural Engineering Department has already given its response on implementation of projects, specially under PMGSY Phase-II, on November 21 to the PAC.

"What is unfortunate is that the Congress party uploaded the response given by the Department to the PAC on a social media platform on December 9 by disregarding the essence of democracy," he said and added that the matter has been apprised to the Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly .

Saying that the information furnished to the PAC could not be made public until the same is tabled in the House, Khemchand accused the MPCC of engaging in activities which are against the guidelines of conduct of PAC to take political advantages.

The Minister also expressed desire for the MPCC president to consult with senior party leaders if he is unaware of the guidelines of PAC.