Maksam Tayeng

PASIGHAT, Jul 6: Refuting the allegations of illegalities and sub-standard works in the Mirem-Mikong-Jonai (MMJ) road construction project levelled by Mirem-Mikong-Jonai Road Monitoring Committee (MMJRMC) which was carried as a news item by the state’s dailies on Tuesday, EE PWD Er. Tani Taki today claimed that the PWD officials in no way have encouraged such illegalities and the department is open to SIC investigation.
Terming the episode as “embarrassing misunderstanding by the members of the MMJRMC,” the EE through a press release said he will heartily welcome the SIC investigation to unearth the truth already sought by the MMJRMC through an FIR with the SIC (Vigilance). In its FIR the committee alleged that the department had prepared bills for sub-standard works and paid Rs. 15 cr to the contractor. Asserting that there is not an iota of truth in it, the EE reasoned that the work has not been completed as per specifications and scope of the DPR and no bills have been prepared and the contractor has  not been paid yet. “All the relevant documents regarding payments have been furnished to Jacob Paron, President MMJRMC through RTI Vide No. PA/RTI/2021-22 /414 – 18 dated 01/05/2021 in which the details of payment have been clearly stated as Nil. In spite of furnishing the details of payment to him, he has made this wild allegation against the department to malign the reputation of the officials involved in the execution of the project. Allegation of irregularities by the PWD officials is a figment of their imagination and is devoid of any truth and misleading,” the EE's press release read.
Taking forth his argument, the EE said that the department is yet to certify that the work executed is of good quality and as per specifications of the DPR and as such is not liable for the sub-standard works as alleged by the monitoring committee. Clarifying on the boulder issue, the EE has claimed that the measurements (700 mm, 800 mm) were never approved and allowed for use in embankments by the department. They were to be removed to the roadsides before laying the materials for widening and the removed boulders were to be collected later on by the contractor and transported to crusher plant for processing, he added. The EE through his lengthy press release has also denied that the quality of work has been compromised regarding embankment construction, adding that they conform to Indian Standard (IS) 1498 1970 Classification and Identification of Soils for General Engineering Purposes. 

Most of the Monitoring Committee members are non-technical persons who neither try nor have the ability to comprehend the engineering aspects of the work despite several explanations, the EE said, alleging also that some of them were participants in the tender process who had somehow failed to secure work. Their motive is only to cause hindrance to the work for ulterior motives, he added, asserting that the department is not shielding anybody. Terming the MMJRMC “self-styled,” the EE also gave a detailed account of its activities and the attempts to disrupt the project.
I would like to reassure the people of 37th Pasighat West Assembly Constituency that the department will not compromise with the quality of works under any circumstances and we are committed to give a good road to the people of the project command area. So, all are requested not to get carried away by the misleading propaganda being spread by some individuals with vested interests, the EE appealed. 

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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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