Govt to ask contractors to pay for incomplete works in Saubhagya scheme

Shillong, Sept 11: Cabinet has approved the proposed financial closure of the Saubhagya DDUGJY/Additional Infra Scheme based on the final verification report submitted by MePDCL.

The state government will take action  against contractors responsible for Rs 54 lakh incomplete work

“After multiple verifications, MePDCL found that out of Rs 96 crore worth of work, Rs 54 lakh worth of work remained incomplete. Based on that we have accepted the financial closure report from the MePDCL and permission was given today to MePDCL to go ahead with the financial closure based on this report that Rs 54 lakh worth work was not complete which means payment will not be done and the rest of the work have been completed, verification has been done and necessary payment be released.”

Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that  the physical closure reports for these schemes were submitted to the REC, as well as to the concerned agencies and departments of the central government. However, in certain cases, there were slight delays due to ongoing inquiries and the need for internal verification.

These verifications were subsequently carried out at multiple levels by MePDCL. Following a thorough verification process, MePDCL prepared the final report, which was duly submitted to the Power Department and forwarded to the government.

“Cabinet has reviewed and accepted this final report today, thereby formally approving the financial closure of the Saubhagya, DDUGJY, and Additional Infrastructure schemes”, the chief minister said.

Independent probe 

Cabinet has approved the proposal for consideration of the recommendations of independent inquiry committee report into  into allegations and to record findings and make recommendations concerning the procurement, AT & C losses and Human Resource Management of MeECL and its three subsidiary companies.

The inquiry was constituted, and after thorough examination by the Power Department, other relevant departments, MeECL, and associated stakeholders, the findings were presented to the cabinet on Thursday. The cabinet has accepted the report and has directed the Power Department to take all necessary steps to implement the various recommendations made by the Inquiry committee. Furthermore, the cabinet has decided that the report should be made public. Accordingly, it will be uploaded to the official website within the next few days, ensuring transparency and public access