PASIGHAT, 11 Jul: The Siang Entrepreneur Welfare Association, headquartered here in East Siang district, has alleged misappropriation of fund sanctioned for the construction of residential buildings in the newly created district headquarters of Siang by the Boleng PWD division executive engineer (EE).
The association informed that Rs 144.01 lakhs was sanctioned for the construction of eight units of bachelors’ barracks, four units of Type-II houses, eight units of Type-III houses, four units of Type-IV houses, and one unit of Type-V building during 2019-20.
It alleged that the fund was mismanaged by the Boleng PWD division EE in a fraudulent manner.
The association’s president, Tajong Talom said that an LOC had been issued to the EE on 26 March, 2019, “without fulfilling the prerequisite codal formalities,” which raised doubt about irregularities and fund mismanagement.
Talom said he had filed an application under the RTI Act, seeking information regarding the status of the housing project.
In reply, the EE, who also happens to be the PIO of the Boleng PWD division, stated that “the construction of the residential buildings in the newly created Siang district has not yet been sanctioned,” Talom said.
He said that an LOC is normally issued only after completion of the work and fulfillment of all prerequisite formalities. “But in this instant case, the EE flouted all the laid down norms and guidelines,” he said.
The association also alleged that no tender notice has been published for the work, thereby violating Section 14 of the CPWD manual.
A complaint has also been lodged with the SIC (vigilance) SP against the EE.