STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: Augmentation of the 132/33 KV Mawlai Substation has to be kept in abeyance due to serious anomalies by the Power department. The Department was also reprimanded by the Ministry of DoNER. This came into light during the 'Question Hour' of the State Assembly on Friday.The project was estimated to cost Rs 4930 crore to be funded from the North East Special Infrastructure Develepment Scheme (NESIDS).
The Minister in charge of Power, James Sangma told the House, "At present, the work for augmentaion of the 132/33 KV Mawlai Station is being kept in abeyance due to observation from the Ministry of DONER that the State government has not followed the due proceedure of competitive bidding and transparency in awarding the work in the project. This has prompted the government to cancell all works and supply orders." He added that the process of re-tendering has been already initiated.The Minister also informed that the decision was taken by the Board of Directors on March 3, 2020.
Going by his statement of the State Minister, the Ministry observed that there was random issuance of work order supply orders and orders for purchase that is not in consonance with the proceedures. ''As much as 80 % of the tender is not as per the order and these include bore well, computers, and furnitures.''
Replying to a query on the fate of those contractors who had already executed the contractual project, the Minister displayed his constraints.