Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union flags anomalies in government project implementation; seeks action by July 20

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) has submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland highlighting a series of alleged anomalies in the implementation of government projects across several departments in the state.

In the letter, the union expressed concerns over procedural deviations, delayed execution of works, and irregular financial practices in several departments, including Rural Development, Tribal Affairs, School Education, and Tourism.

Citing the ongoing Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Phase-III works, the NCSU pointed out that 16 cluster projects under the 40 sanctioned works are being executed using Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) technology. The union noted that although the work order was issued on March 21, 2024, with a completion deadline of September 2025, current progress suggests a risk of delay. It urged the state government to direct the contractors to expedite the work and adhere to the technological specifications.

The NCSU also raised concerns about alleged excess payments being made beyond the sanctioned work order value in the Tribal Affairs department.

While appreciating the department for granting funds to the village councils under the Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) project, the union stated that it was “surprising to note that the department has been deducting nearly 20% of the allocated fund, significantly affecting the quality of work.”

Additionally, for implementation of the Tribal Research Institute project, no Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) was issued and instead, the department has opted for a “table tender,” which, it said, is a deviation from the standard procedure.

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In the School Education department, the union alleged that civil works under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan were awarded through table tendering, without issuing public advertisements. “Moreover, it has also allotted a total of 130 work order to only one firm. Also that, this firm has sub-let the projects to a third party in complete violation of the laid down norms in work order,” it claimed.

Furthermore, it said that the department of Tourism has also not followed proper procedures while awarding the contract for the main arena pavilion construction at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

While acknowledging the swift pace of development ahead of the Hornbill Festival’s 25th anniversary, the union expressed concern that no NIT was made public and the contractor for the approximately INR 100 crore project “was directed to do work without any work order.”

“All this raises serious questions on transparency and fair competition and the system under which the works are being allotted by the government department,” the NCSU stated in its representation.

It further requested the Chief Secretary to take appropriate action and respond to the issues raised by July 20, “Failing which, we shall be compelled to resort to own course of action deemed fit, including legal recourse.”