Cancellation of work order not enough, says Delay Namgyal demanding that illegal allocation of road project be investigated

GANGTOK, 26 April: Delay Namgyal Barfungpa has claimed victory in the State Government’s cancellation of a road project which he had challenged in the Sikkim High Court. Informing that he had come upon the illegality from an RTI application, he also held it up as proof of the effectiveness of RTI Act, stating that this was the first time that information gathered from an RTI application had come to a logical end in Sikkim. However, he has now demanded the Chief Minister and his government not end the process with the cancellation of the work order, but also initiate strict action against the officials involved.
It may be mentioned here that the Road and Bridges Department had issued a work order for up-gradation, carpeting including protective works and drainage along Sangkhola Sumin Road of 6th to 12th KM at a total cost of Rs 7.08 crore to a Singtam-based contractor. This work was amiss in two facets, one, the same work had already been done by RMDD under PMGSY and second, no tenders were called for it.
Addressing a press conference today, Mr Barfungpa informed that when he came to know about it he filed an RTI application and then a petition to the High Court.
Following this, a legal notice was served to the concerned department on 18 July 2011. On 16 April 2012, the Roads and Bridges Department took out an order cancelling the work order.
Mr Barfungpa mentioned that the work was awarded without any tendering process. He further said that the initial cost of the work was Rs 6.16 crore but then the rate was increased by 15% and total cost of the work then went up to Rs 7.08 crore. On the same, he questioned that without any tendering process how was the cost of work even worked out in the first place and then increased.
Thanking the High Court, Mr Barfungpa stressed that he was not against development in the State but definitely against corrupt practices in the name of development.
He stressed that the contractor is not accountable for such practices but those who issue work orders are to be held responsible. Adding that it is a serious issue he stated that the government needs to take strict legal action against such individuals.