IMPHAL, Jun 7: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that the State Government would not stay silent if any substandard commodities and items are supplied to the MR, IRB and police personnel.
Speaking to media persons at the CM Secretariat today, the Chief Minister said that IRB, MR and police personnel are working for the safety of the public and are selflessly keeping their lives on the line everyday for the people and the State Government is always trying to improve the morale of the security personnel.
Taking note of this, the State Government only takes their merits and abilities into consideration in the course of promotions, transfers and postings of the security personnel without any form of corruption.
Biren said that he came across a WhatsApp message about the quality of belts supplied to the security personnel.
Upon instruction, a monitoring committee led by Additional Chief Secretary Suresh Babu along with Director General of Police himself investigated the matter and found many substandard quality belts at some godowns including 1st Manipur Rifles.
“These belts were nice to look at but were cheaply made”, he added.
Biren claimed that he, along with the DGP, Special Secretary and officials of the monitoring committee went to inspect the godowns and found many substandard belts piled up in rucksacks.
He pointed out that the godowns were sealed immediately and a high level meeting was convened which decided to blacklist the belt supplier, M/S Md Abdul Gani Khan and to stop the release of funds for the materials immediately.
Biren conveyed that a special enquiry committee would be constituted at the earliest to investigate as to how the substandard items were being supplied, who received the items and whether only good quality samples were produced for inspection and replaced by substandard items in rucksacks before being delivered etc.
He warned that the State Government would not take lightly such unethical practice of supplying substandard items to security personnel and would take up appropriate and stringent actions against those involved.
Biren further appealed to the people to refrain from thinking that the steps taken up the State Government are politically motivated or aimed at selected individuals or organisations.
He further urged the people to consider the plight of the security personnel, who despite working tirelessly and without getting adequate sleep and rest in the interest of the people, are not even provided decent quality belts.
Source: The Sangai Express
