Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, JULY 28
THE Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B), South Division, spent Rs 36.95 lakh provided under Thirteenth Finance Commission (TFC) grants on the basis of fabricated records against an unexecuted item of work i.e. upgradation of laboratory attached to Chief Engineer’s office.
According the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) of India report for the year ending 31st March 2013, which was tabled in the just concluded Budget session of Nagaland Assembly, a High Level Monitoring Committee (HLMC) headed by the Chief Secretary approved (September 2011) Action Plan of TFC grants amounting to Rs 34 crore for maintenance of roads and bridges during 2011-12.
Out of this, it said, Rs 50 lakh was earmarked for up-gradation of Laboratory attached to Chief Engineer’s (CE) office, Public Works (Roads & Bridges) and was approved by the CE in March 2012 based on estimates forwarded by EE, PWD (R&B), which was also included in the Works Programme of the Department for 2011-12.
Maintaining that the scope of the work was to repair the existing store, construction of CRSM breast wall, bituminous works, etc., the CAG report pointed that scrutiny of records (January 2013) of the EE South Division revealed that the work was awarded (March 2012) to the lowest bidder (Adu Kin) for Rs 47.15 lakh with a stipulation to complete the work within two months.
As per the First and Final bill, the contractor completed the work and was paid Rs 41.31 lakh (after deducting Security Deposit of Rs 3.77 lakh and either statutory deductions of Rs. 2.07 lakh) in July 2012. The Utilization Certificate submitted, if any, was not found on record, the report remarked.
It pointed that as there was no Laboratory in the CE’s office building/complex and the Department reported that the work was executed in the Store compound of the South Division located at AG Point, Kohima, audit conducted a joint physical verification along with the divisional staff (January 2013). However, the CAG said during verification it was found that no work was executed in the Laboratory by the contractor as recorded in the Measurement Book/bill.
Thus, it is evident that the Department spent Rs. 41.31 lakh by recording false measurements and certifying completion of an un-executed item of work, which needs further investigation. In reply (July 2013), the Government stated that due to space constraints in the CE’s office complex, the laboratory was established in the store compound of the South Division which was within the administrative control of the CE.
While admitting that the payment was made in advance in anticipation of completion of work, the Government further stated that some items of work which had not been carried out as per estimate at the time of Joint inspection were being carried out and was expected to be completed at the earliest.
However, a second joint physical verification (October 2013) revealed that contrary to the claim of the Department, construction of only 10 meters of Retaining wall at an estimate cost of Rs. 4.36 lakh was carried out as per the measurement shown in the bill/Measurement book.
Thus, the Department spent Rs. 36.95 (Rs. 41.31 bill amount Rs. 4.36 lakh amount of work executed) by recording false measurements and certifying completion of un-executed items of work.
