AGARTALA / KADAMTALA (North Tripura), June 20 (TIWN): Manik Sarkar led CPI-M Govt’s massive lootings of MGNREGA funds continue as more embezzlements are being unearthed. Tripura RD Dept. headed by Principal Secretary GSG Ayyangar, who himself is India-famous for looting funds in multicrore Hyderabad street light timer scam. Lower court has issued notice to Kadamtala RD Block officers for poor construction of bridge due to negligence and lack of supervision by the concerned officers. Reportedly, during the year 2012-13 a huge amount of funds allocated for the construction of a Bridge at Govindapur G P, Ward No. 2, Kadamtala R D Block (Presently Kalacherra R D Block), North Tripura under the scheme of MGNREGA. The estimated cost of the project was Rs. 8,27,079.00/- lakhs. But after few months, local people unearthed corruption that construction was very poor and not with specification and design as mentioned in the approved estimates.

However, locals lodged complain on July 17, 2013 to Subhash Acharjee, BDO Kadamtala R D Block under North Tripura stating that the ‘the quality was below sub-standard with lower quality of material and without moden technology’. 

Due to this MGNREGA corruption, Lokayukta Justice P.K.Sarkar ordered to demolish the bridge and to re-construct the bridge within 3 months.

They further  requested the BDO to look into the matter so that the work would be done as per specification of the Estimate.

But BDO didn’t take any action  after the complain done by the locals. Following BDO’s non-interest in this issue they further take their complain on 2013, August 13 to the then DM of North Tripura P K Goel requesting him to make an inquiry into the matter.

Following their complain, DM North Tripura wrote a letter to the Executive Engineer, R D Dept. under Kanchanpur Division named Tamal Debnath requesting him to make an inquiry into the said work but DM’s order was not followed by the mentioned Engineer. Then DM P K Goel again wrote a letter to the Addl. DM & Collector to submit his report by completing inquiry within December 9, 2013.

However, the Addl DM and Executive Engineer Ukendra Reang both stated that the work---‘was very vulnerable and not properly done’.

Atlast in 2014, May 25 after the lapses of few months the BDO issued a recovery notice with the cost of 1.7 Lakhs (Against the construction of RCC Box Type Culvert within 7 days.

However, as per the Annexure-6 submitted by Engineer, R D Division, submitted to DM it’s clear that 2 persons have been involved in corruption by misappropriating govt. money as well as not by implementing the construction work.

Although BDO further denied all the allegations, but already DM, Addl DM’s report was given to the court by BJP former president Ranajoy Kr. Deb. With the case No. F. 7(18-1)-DM/ (N) /REV/ TRI/VOL-ll /2012/1969-70 dt. 10.10.2013. with the following reports about the bridge which was given by a team of Engineers headed by Executive Engineer Ukendra Reang.

1.     The layout of the culvert is not confirming the standard,

2.     The foundation of wing wall not sufficient that as specified in the upstream aprons,

3.     The steel used of very cheap quality,

4.     The cut of the wall is not provided in both stream,

5.     The report on physical observation and detail assessment is not possible as work is completed. Along with it the reinforcement provided in different component on the culvert is also doubtful. All these happened due to lack of inspection by superior officers.

Then another report was submitted by Superintend Engineer (Civil) Mahitosh Das.He said the done work after repairing was of good quality.

But after the hearing while passing judgment  Lokayukta Justice P K Sarkar said that, “The report of Superintend Engineer (Civil) Mahitosh Das is not satisfactory”. He further stated, “It’s clear that BDO Subhash Acharjee and the Technical Assistant Tamal Debnath are responsible for poor quality of works”. “Therefore I am of the view that both the bridges are unsafe for public use”.

Court further ordered to demolish the bridge and to re-construct the bridge within 3 months.

It’s worthy to mention here that BJP former president Ranajoy Kr. Deb (Also the complainer) held a press meet on Monday to announce about a court order issued against Tripura RD Dept. Addressing the press meet BJP former President Ranajoy Kumar Deb told media that in the year 2013, with an allegation of poor construction work held at Kadamtala at Govindapur.

BJP alleged that atleast Rs. 5 lakhs were embezzled during the construction work.

“Tripura has become such a state where DM’s order are easily un-followed by party-backed Engineers”, said BJP Former President Ranajoy Kumar Deb to media.