Housing min defends quality of roofing sheets amid inquiry

SHILLONG, July 9: As the inquiry into the procurement of alleged “substandard” roofing sheets continues, Housing Minister Marcuise Marak has asserted that the thickness of the roofing sheets supplied by a private firm meets the specified standards.
The Housing department initiated a departmental inquiry last month following a complaint from the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) regarding the supply of poor-quality corrugated aluminum roofing sheets to various C&RD Blocks across the state. The HYC alleged that the sheets provided by Hariana Iron Works Pvt. Ltd, Kolkata, were substandard and unsuitable for use.
Marak emphasised that the department chose better aluminum roofing sheets based on the recommendations of the Technical Officer, highlighting their durability and lighter weight compared to CGI sheets. “We have received feedback that these sheets are more lasting, and reports indicate that their thickness is as per departmental specifications,” he stated.
HYC objects to inquiry process
Meanwhile, the HYC, which lodged the initial complaint, urged the Housing department to include provisions for measuring the weight of the sheets during the inquiry. In a letter to LC Sangma, chairman of the inquiry team, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem expressed concerns about the inquiry’s conduct.
Synrem noted that during the recent spot inspections on June 5 and 9, the inquiry team did not measure the weight of the sheets, which he argued is essential for assessing their quality. He requested that future inspections include weight measurements to ensure a fair and accurate report on the supplied sheets’ standard and quality.
The HYC president warned that if their suggestion is not accepted, the organisation will withdraw from the inquiry, deeming it a one-sided and futile exercise, and the report will be unacceptable to the organisation and the general public.