By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 19: In keeping with the direction of the Ministry of DoNER, the augmentation work for the 132/33 KV Mawlai sub-station has been put in abeyance after the Ministry raised concerns over it, while the retendering process has been initiated. Power Minister James Sangma informed the House about this on Friday.
“At present, the work for the augmentation of 132/33 KV Mawlai sub-station is being kept in abeyance due to the observations from the Ministry of DoNER, which said that the state has not followed due procedure of competitive bidding and transparency in awarding the work in the project,” James said while replying to a query by Rangsakona MLA, Zenith Sangma, during the Question Hour.
“All work and supply orders have been cancelled. However, the process of retendering has already been initiated,” he added.
Informing that the estimates have not been revised, the power minister said that the cost of the scheme is Rs 49.80 crore sanctioned on March 3, 2019.
Raising a supplementary question, the Rangsakona MLA said, “A number of local contractors were engaged who have completed 80-90 per cent of the work but they are not getting money and going from pillar to post”.
In his reply, James, while asserting that the state government is au courant with the hardships of the contractors, maintained that the administration has to act within the purview of the law.