From Cosmos Sangma
Toilet scam: Tura supplier refunds Rs 60 lakh
TURA: The Meghalaya Rural Development Society (MRDS) that was tasked with construction of 691 school toilets in East Garo Hills allegedly diverted several lakhs of rupees for other works while a Tura supplier of materials for the project received more than Rs 1 crore despite supplying only a limited number of items for the works.
Both were compelled to return a substantial amount of the funds amounting to Rs one crore that they had excessively withdrawn without implementation of the project.
The Shillong Times has in its possession documents that indicate the extent of the alleged misappropriation of public funds during the tenure of the then deputy commissioner of East Garo Hills, Pravin Bakshi, who continues to maintain his innocence.
A demand for enquiry into the construction of school toilets by MRDS under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) was made to the Meghalaya government by district officials way back in December 2013 after funds were found missing. No action was taken.
A letter seeking an investigation into the alleged misappropriation was made to the government by the administration through a letter addressed to P W Ingty, Principal Secretary of PHE, dated 17thDecember, 2013.
The letter was based on the findings of a probe initiated by the district administration wherein it was revealed that MRDS had diverted Rs. 40,59,935 of Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) funds for other activities such as Self-Help Group (SHG) seed money. A demand was made for further probe into MRDS activities since the amount never showed up in the audit of MRDS accounts all the years. The organization ultimately returned the entire amount of Rs. 40.59 lakh to the District Water and Sanitation Committee (DSWC).
The Tura supplier, Sohan Kumar Sah, who was paid Rs 1,79,70,602.00 was found during enquiry to have supplied material amounting to only Rs. 74,07,500 for supply of 1188 toilet pans and 1150 doors at the approved rate of Rs 1250 for toilet pan and Rs.5150 for the door.
Having given an undertaking to return Rs.90 lakh, he has so far deposited Rs 60 lakh in the DSWC account.
The letter to the government had sought criminal proceedings against the supplier since the alleged accused has evaded returning the remaining Rs 30 lakh of the balance money. The government has so far remained silent on the issue.