Shillong, Feb 26: IIT, Guwahati demanded over Rs 41 lakh to audit the Assembly dome collapse and the state government has already released over Rs 20 lakh.
Meghalaya Monitor filed an RTI query on all aspects related to the dome collapse and the inquiry report.
However, both the interim and full probe reports are yet to be released to the RTI applicant even after an appeal was filed before the appellate authority.
The Public Information Officer (PIO) of PWD ( Buildings) initially mentioned that the matter regarding furnishing of the report was taken up with the law department.
Later, the PIO sought opinion from the Assembly Secretariat which denied the information compelling the applicant to move the appellate authority who is yet to respond even after the stipulated time of giving the reply. Three months have lapsed after the appeal was moved.
In reply to a question regarding the amount paid to IIT Guwahati for conducting the structural assessment/audit of Assembly building construction at Mawdiangdiang, including the cause of collapse of dome, the PIO replied that Rs 20,65,000 was paid.
The total amount quoted by IIT Guwahati is Rs 41,30,000.
The main firm Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) selected by the government had sub-contracted the work to Badri Rai & Company which was not qualified during the bidding process.
The government had come under flak for not taking action against both the companies for the lapses.
As per the reply to the RTI query, though the government had signed an agreement with UPRNN, there was no annexed agreement with the company following the sub-contract.
The government also did not sign any agreement with Badri Rai & Company, the reply says.
