Dimapur, September 11 (MExN): It is raining ultimatums in Nagaland. Yet another organization has issued a set of demands to be fulfilled within 10 days over a case involving another tainted and controversial contractor, M.B Panesars & Sons Pvt. Ltd, contractors for the Aghunato-Shamator road. The Yimchungrü Akheru Arihako (YAA) of Tuensang has accused the contractor and the PWD department of manipulation, false certification, anomalies and questionable use of funds and their proportion to the actual works.
The YAA has given the government 10 days to initiate stern disciplinary action against departmental engineers and staff “who were responsible for manipulation in preparing DPR contradicting to the total amount approved by the Ministry of DONER, issue of 2 work orders with different amount of fund, misappropriation of fund and issue of false utilization/completion certificates.” Likewise, the government must issue proper instructions and directives to the contractor/firm to resume the uncompleted works as per the work order and fund approved by the Ministry of DONER including black-topping works from 0-20 Km without any delay.
“Failing which, the YAA shall be compelled to go to higher authority until justice is delivered and in due course, the department of PWD (R&B) shall be solely responsible for any consequences,” the YAA stated in a letter addressed to the chief engineer of PWD (Roads & Bridges). The letter was appended by YAA president Z Throngshe and joint secretary M Shophu.
Stating reasons, the YAA said to have detected anomalies and manipulation in preparing the Detail Project Report (DPR) and in awarding contract for the construction of the Aghunato-Shamator road to MB Panesars & Sons Pvt.Ltd, a Class-I Registered Contractor. The issue is now of poor workmanship too, the YAA said referring to a letter of complaint the YAA wrote to the government in June 2012.
“Consequent upon the complaints, two Superintendent Engineers were detailed by the Govt. for verification vide letter No. WH/R-12/2009//, Dated, Kohima the 27th July 2012 who verified the spot on 7th of August 2012 whereby a meeting at K. Iponger Village was also held between Verification Officers, Executive Engineer, SDO, JE of PWD (R&B) Aghunato Division, YAA officials, Village Councils of K. Iponger and Huker, and Public leaders of Aghunato town.”
During the meeting, open discussions were held and the verification team assured to apprise the higher authorities of the department to convene another meeting between departmental heads and the YAA before taking further actions, the letter said.
“However to our utter dismay, your office had issued letter requesting the contractor concerned vide letter No. CE/NLCPR/2008-09 Dated Kma, the 24th august 2012 to complete the uncompleted portion within 5 months from the date of issue of that letter which is much contrary to our demands and cannot be accepted under any circumstances.”
The YAA said that the funds were approved by the Ministry of DONER and the work order was set for Schedule of Rates 2005 for NEC/NH with an approximate value of work for Rs. 1597.30 Lakhs. The fund has been issued in the month of December 2007, the YAA said.
“Again when the fund for 20 Km was approved from Delhi vide letter No. F.No. 80/2007-NLP (NL) Dated 27th March 2009, another DPR for only 15 Km was prepared by the Department and Work Order for second time at SOR-2007 with an approximate value of work for Rs. 1565.98 (Rupees Fifteen Crores Sixty Five Lakhs and Ninety Eight Thousand) has been issued in the month of April 2009 to the same contractor/firm which is highly questionable.”
The organization also noted further that when some portions of the Aghunato-Shamator road were already constructed under PMGSY during 2008-09, the divisional head of the department issued completion certificate that enabled the contractor to draw almost 95% of fund when the work was carried out only up to some 13 Km leaving another 7 Km and excluding Bitumen (black-topping) works.
