DIMAPUR, JANUARY 15 (MExN): In another classic case of drawing money without work, the Longkhum Village Council has filed a complaint against one C. Sangit Ao, Government Class I Registered contractor of Flood Control Department in Assam. According to the representation given to the Engineer-in-Chief of PWD, Nagaland, the village council alleges that the contractor has drawn a sum of Rs.3 crores and 9 lakhs from the total amount of Rs 4 crores, ninety lakhs and fifty thousand allotted for the construction of 35 km Link road at Longkhum village, before the commencement of the actual work. The complaint was filed by Alemwati, chairman on behalf of the Longkhum Village Council and signed by five other Tatars of the village.
The representation of the village council stated that the work order had been allotted on October 2007 by the Chief Engineer of the PWD (Roads and Bridges), to be executed under various specific terms and conditions. It made mention of two conditions which specified that the work should be completed within 12 months from the 7th day of issue of work order or from the date of actual commencement, whichever is earlier. Another condition was that no mobilization advance would be paid. However, it was found that the contractor had drawn the sum amount of Rs 3 crores and 9 lakhs from the department on November 15, 2007 vide voucher No. 20/19/1107, Kohima against the said work before the work even began. The village council further informed that neither the contractor, Sungit Ao, nor his ‘party ever came to the work place on the spot till date.’
Therefore, the council questions the contractor in concern and the department as to why and how 70 percent of the value of work was drawn/payment made, violating the rules and regulations fixed by the department. Strongly objecting to such instances of ‘open corruption’ in its land, the Longkhum Village Council demanded clarification and justice within 30 days from the date of the delivery of the complaint letter which was written on January 9, 2008. The council also warns that failure to comply with their complaint would compel the council to seek legal justice from a competent court of law.
Responding to this representation from the Longkhum Village Council, Commissioner & Secretary of Works and Housing, Mhathung Kithan, on January 10, wrote to the Chief Engineer (Roads and Bridges), Nagaland, Vikhuotoulie Angami, seeking the status report of all eight road under NRDP, under which the concerned work order falls. In his letter, the Commissioner Secretary stated that the office had specifically directed the Chief Engineer to “ensure that the funds are released only to the extent of works executed and observing all codal formalities” and added that in this connection, a reminder had also been issued on December 17, 2007, asking for the status report of the progress of work and payments made thereof. “So far, no reply has been received from your office”, the Commissioner stated terming it as unfortunate and directed for the status report of the eight roads under NRDP be submitted within a week, which is on or before January 15, 2008.
.jpg)
