HC Bench asks for any ‘development’ thereafter
Morung Express News
Kohima | February 22
As directed by the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench on February 3, the Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Works & Housing has issued show cause notice to the concerned (former) Executive Engineer under R&B, Phek Division, who allegedly issued false ‘completion certificate’ for an incomplete road project in Meluri sub-division.
The show cause notice, as per the proceeding of the court on Wednesday, was issued on February 7, with a 30-day deadline.
Resuming the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with regard to three road projects in Meluri sub-division on February 22, the Division Bench comprising of Justices Songkhupchung Serto and Kakheto Sema also enquired from the Additional Advocate General (AAG) as to whether the money had been released to the Contractor following the issuance of Completion Certificate given by the Executive Engineer.
With the AAG stating that he was unaware if such a transaction has been executed, the Bench directed him to come with instructions on the matter.
Observing that the deadline of the show cause notice is March 10, the Bench further instructed the AAG to “come instructed on the development, if any that has taken place following the issuance of the show cause notice,” on the next day of hearing on March 13.
As per Court records, the PIL was filed on November 10, 2020 on grounds that the contractor for the three road projects which are a part of one stretch of road, had ‘fraudulently’ withdrawn money without completing the works, and in violation of the terms and conditions of the work orders.
Among others, the petitioners of the PIL had alleged that a completion certificate for the first project between Lephori to Molhe Post was issued by the EE in January 2014, though the work was not completed.
