IT News
Imphal, Feb 26:
Ignoring the CPWD Manual, the Quality Control and Monitoring Division of Water Resource Department (WRD) allowed the commencement of work on three projects without obtaining a performance guarantee or bank guarantee from the concerned contractors. As per the CPWD Manual (2014), a letter for the commencement of work should only be issued to a contractor after they submit the required performance guarantee.
Under the Khelo India Scheme, a total of eight projects were sanctioned between 2017 and 2020. Of these, five projects were executed under the Youth Affairs and Sports Department, while three were under the Sports Authority of India.
Of the five remaining projects, three were executed by the Engineering Wing of the WRD. The works are:
(i) Construction of a Football Field and RCC Gallery at Hao Ground, Chingamathak( Rs. 3.64 Crore),
(ii) Construction of a Football Field and RCC Gallery at Hiyangthang Kangjeibung (Rs.3.64 Crore)
(iii) Construction of a Multi-Purpose Indoor Hall at Charoibung Public Ground (Rs. 5.99 Crore).
Meanwhile, two projects were executed by the Manipur Development Society. The projects are:
(i) Construction of a Swimming Pool with an RCC Gallery, toilet, and changing room at District Bishnupur Headquarters (Rs. 4.96 Crore),
(ii) Construction of sports infrastructure at eight blocks of Manipur, (Rs. 16.64 Crore) at Chahkap Playground (Chandel), KukiMun (Churachandpur), Moirang Local Ground (Bishnupur), Chaging at Wangoi Sub-Division, Sana Ingkhol (Thoubal), Khulmi Play Ground Molnoi (Tengnoupal), Arapti Lilong Mapal Kangjeibung, and Aihang Play Ground (Chandel).
As per information provided by both executing agencies, all projects were awarded through restricted tendering.
As per Para 21 of the CPWD Works Manual (2014), a letter for the commencement of work should only be issued after the contractor submits the performance guarantee in an acceptable form. However, this requirement was not followed.
When asked why the work was allowed to start without depositing the performance guarantee/bank guarantee, the Engineering Wing of the WRD clarified that restricted tendering was used to select only resourceful contractors capable of executing the work efficiently and quickly.
Therefore, a bank guarantee was not necessary. However, deposits in the form of Fixed Deposit Receipts, Bankers’ Cheques, or Demand Drafts were executed in favor of the Executive Engineer, Quality Control & Monitoring Division, WRD, Manipur, upon the subsequent release of RA Bills.
However, this justification is not acceptable, as Fixed Deposit Receipts, Bankers’ Cheques, or Demand Drafts deposited upon the release of RA Bills are not valid performance guarantees as required by the CPWD Manual. The WRD’s failure to comply with the mandatory financial safeguards raises concerns over project oversight and execution.
