Imphal, December 04 2010: Altogether Rs 354 crores sanctioned by the 12th Finance Commission for maintenance of Inter Village Roads (IVRs), Other District Roads (ODRs) and Major District Roads (MDRs) in Manipur for a period of five years have been found misused.

According to a source in the Public Works Department, many important roads of the State could not be upgraded or improved as the amount sanctioned for maintenance of these roads by the 12th Finance Commission were not utilised properly.

Notably, only Rs 13 crores were sanctioned for maintenance of roads of the State during the term of the 11th Finance Commission.

As this amount was too meagre for maintenance of the IVRs, ODRs and MDRs of the State, conditions of most of the roads of Manipur deteriorated to the extreme.

With the lapse of the 12th Finance Commission period on March 31 this year, utilization certificate for the amount sanctioned for maintenance of roads has also been submitted.

However, the sanctioned amount of Rs 354 crores was used in original works like construction of new roads, culverts and bridges rather than in maintenance of the existing roads.

Moreover, expenditures incurred during inspection tours of roads by Ministers were accounted to the road maintenance fund.

At least Rs one lakh to Rs 1,60,000 were spent in a single inspection tour by a Minister.

Construction of new bridges, roads, culverts and strengthening or improvement of existing roads are all included in the category of original works.

For these original works, necessary expenditures should be made from plan head 5054 under Special Plan Assistance (SPA) .

As the maintenance fund was used against the guidelines, the utilization certificate was also submitted in a faulty manner.

Meanwhile, for maintenance of National Highway sections under care of the State Government, the Ministry of Highways and Surface Transport sanctioned Rs 1.03 crore for 2010-2011 .

However, more than Rs 30 lakhs have been misutilised in paying salaries of PWD Muster Roll employees.

As this amount of Rs 1.03 crore is too meagre for maintenance of National Highways, the department is planning to propose Rs 13 crores for the next fiscal year 2011-12 .

In the meantime, the condition of NH 39 from Mao to Motbung has deteriorated to a deplorable state.

Many portions of these highway section repaired by the Government less than a year back under strong pressure exerted by the Senapati District Students' Association have broken down, added another source.

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