ES Reporter    

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Department of Rural Work Development has been accused of mismanaging contract works worth Rs 3883.43 crores under PMGSY scheme sanctioned for the financial year 2018-19 by the Ministry of Rural Development.
This was claimed by Youth Arunachal Movement (YAM) President, Tarh Hari in a press conference today who alleged that  Secretary, RWD has misused his power and position by allotting contract works in favour of  a few select bidders, violating the guidelines of the operation manuals of PMGSY. Claiming that it is the convention of government organizations to  accept the lowest financial bidder for award of contracts works, Hari alleged that the RWD Secretary illegally awarded tender to highest bidders despite other  interested companies sending lower quotations, thus depriving the genuine firms.
Armed with RTI documents, Hari informed that Ministry of Rural Development, GoI   has approved 153 road projects, 55 bridges in Batch (I) and 115 roads and 35 bridge projects in Batch (II) against FY 2018-19 totalling 358 projects under PMGSY scheme for Arunachal Pradesh worth Rs 3883.43 crores. 
“The tenders of all projects were floated, but unfortunately the concerned RWD department  failed to implement the projects for public benefit thereby causing huge loss to State Exchequer,” he alleged. He also claimed that from the minutes of the Financial Bid evaluation of 197 out of 385 PMGSY projects obtained through RTI,   it came to the fore that in 73 projects altogether a loss to the tune of Rs 82.31 crores has been caused to the state government. 
He also divulged while they successfully unearthed about documents of 197 projects through RTI out of 358 projects, the Department officials are now hesitating to disclose 161 more projects.
Also citing the rules under Arunachal Pradesh District Based Entrepreneurs and Professional (Incentive, Development and Promotional) Act 2015 where it is stated   that a firm can only have three number of on-going contracts in hand before taking over other projects, Hari alleged that a total of 11 contract works were illegally given to a single construction agency M/S JJ Enterprise. In another case, Hari informed that Secretary-cum-Chairman   of the Financial Bid Evaluation Committee (FBEC), Kapa Kholie has allotted a total of 4 contract works to M/s ZEE Engineering & Construction, which is owned by wife one of its serving Superintending Engineer. Hari also pointed out that works have been awarded despite these firms being highest bidders.
Taking serious cognizance of the matter, YAM   has demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter and suspension of Secretary RWD, CE (W/Z), CE(E/Z) and SFAO, RWD for a free and fair inquiry into the mismanagement. “All the top officials of RWD involved in the mismanagement must be punished for misusing their power,” he said. YAM also cautioned to file a PIL in court against the corruption if no action is initiated within a stipulated time.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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