IMPHAL, June 13: The Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD & PR) Minister Francis Ngajokpa failed to give an exact answer of a calling attention motion raised by opposition MLA Th Shyamkumar Singh in the morning session of the House today.
However, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh came to the Minister`s rescue saying the answer will be given in some other time after the concerned Minister collects a detailed report.
MLA Th Shyamkumar Singh raised the calling attention motion saying that State Rural Roads Development Agency (MSRRDA) did not follow the rules while conducting E-tender for the Phase VIII works under Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
The MLA has questioned how it was an “open tender” and how was it declared when it was conducted in an irregular manner.
Minister Francis Ngajokpa at first gave the answer that the E-tender was conducted according to the rule and the contractors who have failed to get the contract work are the one who are leveling the charges that it was not conducted according to the rule. The Minister also mentioned that a case is still pending at the court.
MLA Th Shyamkumar further pointed out that the E-tender processes have to be completed within 90 days and there were a lot of irregularities in the process. The court case came much later after the tender process was completed the MLA pointed out while showing the related documents to House.Following the charge by the Opposition MLA, Minister Francis Ngajokpa remained silent in his seat, following which the CM came to his rescue.