Dimapur, October 23 (MExN): Three private companies, namely M/S PABSCON, M/S JA Brothers and M/S Win Power Marketing Private Ltd., have come under State Congress party’s scanner for irregularities and corruption. Dimapur District Congress Committee (DCC) anti-corruption cell has alleged to have found loopholes in multi-crore projects being undertaken by the three companies in Dimapur district.
Kisheto Chishi, Vice President and Convener anti-corruption cell, told media persons in Dimapur today that M/S PABSCON was allotted construction of two-lane RCC bridge over Dhansiri (tributary) at Purana Bazar on April 26, 2007 by the State Public Works Department (Road & Bridges).As per the terms and conditions, the company was required to complete the work within 24 months from the day of the issue of work order. However, the DCC alleged that four years have elapsed with only 40% of the work complete. The company has despite the delay managed to withdraw Rs.5.36 crore from the total project cost of Rs.6.03 crore. “How can the government release 90% of the money when work is less than 50% done?” Chishi questioned. With just Rs.57 lakhs remaining, Chishi said it would be impossible for the company to complete the project.
According to the General Secretary DCC, Hokugha, the bridge is the only lifeline for nearly 50 villages. The bridge would also serve as a link between Niuland area and Bokajan, Wokha and Rengmapani. He said the non-completion of the bridge is a big concern for people of Dimapur district. DCC further claimed that the concerned department had written to the company seeking reasons for the delay in completion of the work but there has been no reply from the contractor.
DCC has also sought information on the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) electrification scheme for Chumukedima division under the Right to Information Act. According to the information received by DCC, the total cost of the project undertaken by M/S JA Brothers and M/S Win Power Marketing Private Ltd. combined is Rs. 6, 59, 73 , 406 (six crore, fifty nine lakhs, seventy three thousand, four hundred and six rupees). So far, the companies have withdrawn more than one and half crore for 35 electrified villages out of the 99 villages/units.
According to DCC, it received complaints from 15 village councils stating that the department of Power has directed the councils to bear the expenses for labour wages. Under the centrally sponsored scheme guidelines, DCC said the contractor is required to pay the labour wages and not the villagers.
“These village councils have spent close to one lakh rupees on labour wages and entertaining department officials,” DCC pointed out. Further, the contractors have used old repainted electric steel poles in five villages, DCC alleged. The electric poles has already been disposed by the department and sanctioned as scrap material to four scrap dealers in Dimapur, DCC said. Producing a copy of the approval letter from the department for disposal of unserviceable steel tubular poles, DCC said: “Before the scrap dealers could procure the old electric poles, the contractors managed to have them removed and install them in the villages.” The villagers and scrap dealers have both complained about the matter to them, DCC said; adding they have physically verified the poles.
In the light of the existing conditions, DCC has demanded that M/S PABSCON be black listed by the public works department and that no work be allotted to the company even in future. DCC also questioned why the department released money without verifying the work. Further, DCC has demanded that the Power department, M/S JA Brothers and M/S Win Power Marketing Private Ltd., compensate the village councils for the expenditure incurred on labour wages. It has also sought clarification from the department as to why old rusted poles are being installed in the villages. DCC has said it will move court if necessary for the benefit of the public.
The DCC anti-corruption cell was set up in 2009 to monitor centrally sponsored schemes in the state. The members have been appointed by the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee as per the directives of the All India Congress Committee.
