Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 6
Acting on the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)’s report 2016, the Nagaland State Vigilance Commission has taken up a number of cases for further investigation in different departments of the Nagaland State Government.
On June 1 Thursday, the Vigilance Commission raided the residence of the Additional Director of Department of Municipal Affairs Cell at Chandmari, Kohima, which was followed by another raid in the office of the Municipal Affairs Cell.
The raid was conducted based on the report from CAG, which alleged that the Additional Director, Department of Municipal Affairs Cell arbitrarily altered the specification of Roto Crates for use in solid waste management and also extended undue benefit to the supplier. Further, the Additional Director was also alleged to have paid the full amount of Rs 1.11 crore to the supplier without actual receipt of the material.
Speaking to The Morung Express, State Vigilance Commission Director and DIGP, Meyionen confirmed the raid and said they were on the lookout for relevant files and documents as well as the quantity of the supply of the roto crates in connection to the report of the CAG.
“During the raid, we took some samples and are in the process of examining things,” the Director informed while refusing to provide more details on their findings cited that the case was under investigation.
According to the CAG finding, the Department of Municipal Affairs, invited quotations (May 2014) from registered contractors and suppliers for supply of Roto Crates for use in solid waste management. A purchase committee of three members with Additional Director, Municipal Affairs Cell, Urban Development as the Chairman recommended a supplier, being the lowest bidder, for supply of 1611 Roto Crates having a capacity of 100 litre at a cost of Rs 6905 per unit.
Examination of records (March 2016) revealed that the Additional Director asked (April 2015) the supplier to supply Roto Crates having a capacity of 60 litre instead of the approved model of 100 litre capacity, at the same rate (Rs 6905 per unit). However, no formal supply order indicating the terms and conditions of the supply and regulating the payments was issued to the supplier. The supplier was asked to submit the bill for payment, which was to be released after receipt of funds from the State Government. No reason for change in specification was on record and also no approval from the competent authority was obtained.
As per the price list submitted (June 2014) by the supplier, the price of 60 L1 was Rs 2327 per unit. Thus, by altering the specification the Additional Director Municipal Affairs Cell, Urban Development extended an undue benefit of Rs 0.74 crore to the supplier, the CAG report stated.
Further, it was noticed in audit that the Supplier was paid (24 April 2015) the full amount of Rs 1.11 crore in advance by the Additional Director on the basis of a letter of assurance given by the Supplier. It was also observed that the Supplier did not supply the Roto Crates and therefore, the Department issued (September and October 2015) a notice asking the Supplier to repay the full amount and also explain why his firm should not be blacklisted.
MDM scheme also under the scanner
Meanwhile, the Director also revealed that the Vigilance Commission is investigating an important case in the Department of School Education in connection to mishandling of funds meant for the implementation of the Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme.
“We are in the middle of a massive exercise on the MDM in Nagaland. Out of 26 Sub-Divisional Education Officer (SDEO), we have already covered 15 SDEOs for physical verification. We will resume our verification of the rest SDEOs from June 12 onwards,” the Vigilance Commission Director informed.
In 2016, the Vigilance Commission had also taken up a number of cases basing on the CAG report. Among others, the Vigilance Commission investigated into the fictitious withdrawal of arrears in a number of government department and recovered 70 lakhs from 41 DDO’s. “The treasury officers involved in the false withdrawal of arrears have been issued administrative warnings and we are waiting to initiative action against the erring DDOs,” the Director informed.
Anomalies and corruption cases investigated
The Vigilance Commission Director pointed out that the department has investigated a number of cases on the anomalies and corruptions in the state government departments even though it could not be made known in the public domain due to government strictures.
And while fingers continue to point at the Vigilance Department for being just a “poster department,” the Director said it was not distracted by such allegations- “We know very well that we are the only organ to fight against corruption in the state, and we will plough ahead.”
