MSF alleges irregularities in SSA supply
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 28 2011:
Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) accusing top officials of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan State Mission Authority Manipur in favouritism and financial irregularities has demanded sacking of those involved in the alleged fund embezzlement failing which intense agitation would be launched on the issue.
Speaking to newspersons at its head office this evening, MSF general secretary Anash shah claimed numerous anomalies right from placement of supply orders to payment of bills under various categories.
It is informed that a three member Tender Committee of SSA SMA Manipur floated tender for supply of school bags under SSA Urban Deprived, Girls Education and Inclusive Education Intervention categories for the 2010-2011 year during which three firms namely M/s Sujata Sarkar, siliguri (rs 210 per bag); M/s Monalisa, Paona Bazar (Rs 220); and M/s Ken Bag industries, Thangmeiband (Rs 213) presented their respective bids.
With the siliguri firm making the lowest bid the supply order was consequently agreed upon in December 29, 2010, recounted the MSF functionary who claimed that inspite of awarding the order to M/s Sujata Sarkar the bags were manufactured by the Thangmeiband firm.
While posing as to why local firms were initially overlooked despite two of them making the bid, Anash also observed that allotting the supply order to a firm with the ordered items actually provided by a second firm deserved convincing explanation.
The total amount incurred in procuring a total of 34,286 bags is said to
be Rs 71,99,850 .
On the same day, order for the supply of bags was finalised, the SSA Committee sanctioned another amount of Rs 22,43,192 to M/s Pooja Stationery Store, Paona Bazar for supply of 1,09,424 exercise books at Rs 20.50 per piece, said the general secretary who maintained that Pooja Stationery do not merit such an accord as it was found to be a non-registered firm.
Anash also explained that under the Indian Constitution non-registered firms cannot supply materials for the Government but added that despite such flouting of norms the said amount had been sanctioned to Pooja Stationery Store on December 29, 2010 by the State SSA authority.
The most glaring example of abusing official power, as claimed by Anash, pertains to order for supply of 5374 pairs of shoes of three different sizes allotted to Pooja Shoes, Paona Bazar amounting to Rs 21,30,860 .
Despite State SSA records insisting involvement of the firm, the shop's proprietor namely Y Ramesh is said to have conceded that he was unaware of the supply order even though documents furnished by the student body suggested the rate quotation statement had been appended in his name.
Another disclosure MSF made to the media is related to supply order for 11 stationery items to Manipur Paper Emporium amounting to Rs 22,67,769 which the proprietor namely BK Jain denied involvement.
In addition to hinting that top State SSA officials might have colluded with certain individuals to share the loot, Anash Khan also contended that out of 75 candidates re-engaged as staff on contract basis in the categories of special teachers for visually impaired, hearing impaired and mentally retarded/challenged qualifications of the incumbents turned out of only 10-2 passed candidates compared to recruitment notification necessitating such assignments as graduate post.
Expressing that SSA project in Manipur has been reduced to a mockery with some influential few amassing personal wealth by compromising interest of the student community, he asserted that MSF would sustain its investigation on the matter till all the guilty ones are punished according to law.
It is also informed that one Basanta, initially recruited as a primary teacher is currently working as an Account Officer in the SSA Project.
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