Fund released for science centres in Ukhrul, CCpur
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 19 2023:
Funds have been released for construction of District Science Centre and Planetarium (DSC&P) in Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts by North Eastern Council (NEC) Science & Technology.
NEC has sanctioned Rs 7.85 crore for Churachandpur and Rs 8.02 crore for Ukhrul for building the science centres under Directorate of Science & Technology (DST), Manipur.
The project has been allotted to National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Kolkata, West Bengal and Manipur Tribal Development Corporation Limited (MTDC), Imphal.
As per a letter sent to NEC (S&T) director on Monday by DST, Manipur, however, in the course of transections there were issues with the utilisation of the funds by NCSM, Kolkata and MTDC Ltd, Imphal as the agencies were wrongly registered/mapped as vendors instead of child agency/sub agency.
In this connection, as per the direction from NEC, NCSM and MTDC Ltd have refunded Rs 1,54,77,680 and Rs 83,93,428, it added.
The amount released by NEC till March is Rs 2.85 crore for DSC&P, Churachandpur and Rs 92 lakh for DSC&P, Ukhrul of which, MTDC Ltd has been sanctioned Rs 87.72 lakh for DSC&P, Churachandpur and Rs 91.11 lakh for DSC&P, Ukhrul while Rs 42.5 lakh has been kept with DST, Manipur for purchasing various items.
DST, Manipur has requested the NEC (S&T) to permit utilisation of said funds for setting up of DSC&P in the districts.