IMPHAL, November 3: Three sets of bamboo processing machinery bought by the department of Commerce and Industries at a cost of Rs 28.91 lacs are presently lying obsolete.
The matter was mentioned in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in 2008. The mentioned bamboo sets were given to three NGOs located at Imphal West, Tamenglong and Churachandpur.
The matter was verified today as the Public Accounts Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly led by Chairman L Ibomcha Singh and Keirao MLA, K Thamarjit conducted a spot inquiry at two sites and other concerned officials including additional director, V Tualthang of the Industry department.
In the maiden trip of the PAC, the first NGO called Social Infrastructure and Rural Development Agency located at Lambal Makha Leikai, Lamshang was inspected. The bamboo processing machinery was found heaped together in a manner resembling scrap metal under a make-shift shelter. The machinery which costs nearly 10 lacs was lying rusted and unused.
The representative of the NGO, Kh Inaocha said that the machinery was functional and used at Porompat Industrial shed some years back. However, the machines were shifted to Lamshang and had been lying obsolete due to lack of power supply. Further, training on using the tools was not effectively imparted by the Industry dept, he alleged.
“This machinery is only good for scrap metal now”, MLA L Ibomcha said at the spot. The NGO representative was not able to explain the industrial sickness reasonably to the Committee members nor could the officials of the Industry department clarify.
The second spot of the visit was conducted at Tribal Areas Bamboo Research and Development Foundation (TRIBARD) located at Tuatnuam, New Lamka of Churachandpur District.
The machinery was found in a concrete work-shed in a better condition, however three motors were missing. Khuala Vaipei, secretary of the organization owned up that the NGO is now defunct and the machinery has remained unused since 2006.There is no 3-phase power connection to run the machinery and 3 artisans had received training. However, there is only one trained person left. The artisan present also mentioned that the machinery he trained on was different from the ones there and hence was handicapped in operating the machinery.
The then DC of the district had sanctioned 3 lacs to build the shed, thus preserving the tools. MLA , K Thamarjit said that the machinery can be used effectively and he will try his level best to urge the State Government to revive the Common Facility Centre (CFC).
Briefing media-persons of the tour, PAC Chairman L Ibomcha said that the Lamshang project is in a hopeless situation but the Churachandpur project can be revived. The Tamenglong project is in a presently operating according to the Industry officials. The matter is however to be confirmed.
Ibomcha said that Rs 29 lacs has been poured into the drain but will urge the Government to do the needful. He mentioned that the PAC will further scrutinize the murky affairs in various government departments shortly and take up corrective measures. He said that PAC gives a time of 15 days to the concerned department for clarification and if it is not made, then the offenders will be penalized, he assured.
Karam Thamarjit also added that the PAC will investigate the funds misplaced in the various departments inclusive of IFCD, PWD, Transport, Minor Irrigation etc. “The spots will be verified and in front of media. The corrective measures will be initiated for the development of the State”, he added that the scam of the Social Welfare department which was reported in IFP will be investigated within a month.
It may be mentioned that the projects had been given after 20 NGOs submitted their project proposals for Imphal area. The NGOs of Tamenglong were recommended by the respective DC’s. The infrastructure requirements were first scrutinized and their capacity to run the project was assessed. The question of how the machinery was given to such NGOs which were not capable and lacking in infrastructure were selected was put to the concerned Industry officials. The reply came that the officers including the additional director are not competent to answer the question.