IT News
Imphal, March 25:
Following shocking revelations of financial mismanagement in the construction of the main gate at the Mega Food Park in Yaithibi Khunou, Thoubal District, further irregularities in project expenditures have now surfaced. Investigations into additional infrastructure costs have exposed yet another instance of alleged fund misappropriation—this time concerning the construction of a security barrack, including a toilet facility, at the site.
According to official records, the work order for the construction of the security barrack with a toilet was awarded at a contract price of Rs. 31,59,800/- (Rupees thirty-one lakh fifty-nine thousand and eight hundred) on October 20, 2021, to one contractor Laishram Amarji Singh by Peter Salam, the then Managing Director of Manipur Food Industries Corporation Limited (MFICL). While project documents claim that the construction was completed as per the approved specifications, an examination of the site reveals a stark contrast between the documented details and the actual structure.
Financial records show that payment for this substandard infrastructure was released in three installments to M/s Global AgriSystems Private Limited by Peter Salam, the then MD of MFICL. The first Running Account (RA) Bill of Rs. 14,73,380 was released on November 30, 2021. The second RA Bill of Rs. 10,03,692 was issued on December 21, 2021, followed by a third and final payment of Rs. 2,92,786 on February 24, 2022.
Shockingly, the payment sanction orders explicitly state that the funds were released after due verification and certification by an official team. However, the fundamental question that arises is how the certified team approved payments totaling Rs. 23 lakh for a structure that, according to expert evaluations, should not have cost more than Rs. 5 lakh. The stark difference between the actual expenditure and the documented costs suggests serious financial malpractice, possibly involving collusion between contractors and officials.
With repeated instances of financial irregularities emerging in the Mega Food Park project, authorities must launch a thorough forensic audit and hold all those involved accountable. There is an urgent need for stringent legal action against individuals responsible for these blatant violations to ensure that public funds are not siphoned off under the guise of infrastructure development. Transparency, accountability, and immediate corrective measures are now more crucial than ever to restore public trust in government-backed projects.
As the investigation deepens, more questions remain unanswered. How many more such inflated contracts exist within the project? Who else within the administration was complicit in approving these questionable payments? Without decisive intervention, the Yaithibi Khunou Mega Food Park risks becoming a glaring symbol of unchecked corruption in public infrastructure projects.