DIMAPUR, NOV 16 (MExN): The Nagaland Government Registered Class-I Contractors Union (NGRC-ICU) and Nagaland Contractors & Suppliers Union (NCSU) are clearly not happy with the emerging nexus of rival firm M/s Singh Construction Company with powerful vested interest in the Nagaland State establishment. The NGRC-ICU has once again brought to light startling figures to put forward their case.
As per a press communiqué received here, there were allegations that not even a single amount had been paid to the local contractors for construction of Permanent Headquarter for 9th NAP (IR) at Saijang and 10th NAP (IR) at Zhadima in the last release of Rs 573 lakhs in the month of August 2006. It was alleged that the entire amount was paid to M/s Singh Construction Company for the so called Turkey project whereas in the actual agreement under negotiated loan from HUDCO, it was to be released on 50:50 basis, i.e. Rs 286.50 lakhs: Rs 286.50 lakhs.
Further details were revealed by the NGRC-ICU as per the record available from the LOC of Finance department for the released amount of Rs 573 lakhs. “It is quite shocking to know that how the Finance department could release the whole amount of Rs 573 lakhs without deducting the 13% departmental charges amounting to a whooping Rs 66 lakhs (approximately) stated KC Angami and L Pukhato Shohe , President and General Secretary respectively of the NGRC-ICU in a press communiqué.
It was also disclosed that apart from this, in the contract agreement of M/s Singh Construction Co. 4% work tax on gross value of bill was to be paid as extra by the department. However as per a government order dated 16.7.2002, work tax is to be deducted from the gross value of all running and final bills. “Are they so special a contractor that they are exempted of all the departmental charges as well as the 4% work tax?” the statement questioned.
In the light of these facts and figures, the NGRC-ICU pointed out that the firm in question M/s Singh Construction Co. i.e Mohan Singh in connivance with politicians, bureaucrats and technocrats are all out to deprive the local contractors in whichever department they put their hands to.
“Lastly, are we to let them (M/s Singh Construction Co.) continue with this practices or do our local contractors remain silent spectators without getting even a single penny for the works done for the same type of construction under same location when their rates are also far apart, i.e Rs 932.40 per Sq ft (local contractors) and Rs 2246.45 per Sq ft (M/s Singh Construction Co.)
