WPT&BC set to rerun swindling of funds as in 2019-20: Assam Public Works

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Public Works (APW) has questioned the Department of Welfare of Plain Tribes & Backward Classes (WPT&BC) why Rs. 300 crore allocated for beneficiary oriented tenders was released to contractors in March, 2019 before the items were supplied to the beneficiaries.

In a memorandum to the WPT&BC Director, the APW said the department has repeatedly failed to show the ground depending on which the payments were released during the month of March, 2019 against the tenders of 2018-19, 2019-20 without supplying a single item.

APW general secretary Dhurbajyoti Talukdar said tenders worth over Rs 300 crore were invited for the supply of various items for the beneficiaries of plain tribes and backward classes. The WPT&BC directed the contractors to supply the items within a stipulated period along with bills to get the specific amount from the department. The work order was allotted from February 20, 2019 to February 28, 2020. However, after the release of the work order, the entire amount was released among the contractors within a month, alleged Talukdar.

The APW questioned on what grounds the entire amount was released.

Further, Talukdar alleged that the department is again trying to do corruption for the 2020-21 financial year. He said the WPT&BC is inviting tenders for the current year to supply various items for plain tribes and backward classes.

"It is a pre-determined game of the WPT&BC officials to call tenders during the month of November so that the payments can be released during March," the APW's memorandum to the director stated.

"Like previous years, the department has started the tendering process in November and will likely allot the work order in February. Thus, before the end of the financial year it will release the tender amount to the contractors. We would like to question the Department why at the end of the financial year the tenders are being invited," opined Talukdar.

The APW also questioned Minister Chandan Brahma on his 'silence' against the allegations of Rs 300 crore anomalies in the department.

"If our allegations are not true then the WPT&BC should release a beneficiary list. They should prove whether the money has actually been spent in purchasing items for plain tribes and backward classes," Talukdar stressed.

"Without quality check and distribution, the items from the previous tenders are laying idle at the district offices of WPT&BC department. It clearly indicates the new tenders called for supply of items are only for the benefit of contractors and suppliers," the APW stated.

The APW underlined that if the entire department keeps on maintaining 'silence' then they will take assistance from the law.

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