The state Cabinet, which met here this week to take stock of the affairs relating to the scandal in the PHE Department’s Jowai Division, has decided to entrust the matter to the police and Anti-corruption Branch of the State.
The Cabinet also decided to suspend the concerned Executive Engineer.
In its first reaction to the press reports in this connection, the Govt in a press release has admitted that it was “already aware” of the “irregularities” in the purchase of materials by the Jowai Division. “A preliminary enquiry has already been conducted”, the press note said.
Following is the test of the press note:
“The attention of the Government has been drawn to news items appearing in a section of the press concerning irregularities in the purchase of materials by the Jowai Division of Public Health Engineering Department are already aware of this matter and a preliminary enquiry has already been conducted.
“Besides constituting a Committee for conducting a detailed enquiry into the transactions, it has been decided to entrust the matter to the Police & Anti-Corruption Branch of the State. Disciplinary action has already been initiated and orders have been issued placing the concerned official under suspension.”
According to reports, the office of the Executive Engineer for Jowai Division has fallen vacant following the refusal of any officer to accept the posting. It is learnt that the last Executive Engineer, Mr K War had to flee away to Shillong allegedly being unable to stand the pressure from the contractors for relasing the pending bills. It is estimated that payment involving over Rs five crore has been with held by the Govt after the matter was first reported.
The Sub Committee of the Assembly Estimates Committee has decided to make a physical verification of the Jowai Division of the PHE Department.