IT News
Imphal, Sept 24:
An incriminating audit report conducted by the Principal Accountant General, Manipur, for the period from April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2019, has revealed shocking levels of irregularities within the Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency (MSRRDA) in the implementation of PMGSY schemes in the state.
According to the audit report, one of the most alarming discoveries is the agency’s unauthorized expenditure of Rs 86.26 lakh, made without obtaining prior approval from the competent authorities. This flagrant violation of General Financial Rules (GFR) highlights a culture of financial misconduct and a deliberate attempt to bypass regulatory safeguards.
The audit report also uncovered a far more serious instance of corruption: the agency’s collusive tendering process. During the stipulated period contracts amounting to Rs 69.17 lakh were awarded to a single supplier operating under multiple firm names—all registered under the same Permanent Account Number (PAN). This not only undermined the principle of fair competition but also revealed a calculated effort to siphon public funds through fraudulent means. By inviting bids from only three firms owned by the same proprietor, the agency effectively eliminated any possibility of genuine competition, ensuring that public money was funneled to one beneficiary.
The audit also found a complete absence of delivery receipts and stock entries, raising suspicions that the transactions may not have involved legitimate purchases at all. The possibility of fake invoices and financial kickbacks cannot be ruled out, deepening concerns about the misuse of public resources.
Another serious violation of financial propriety was the agency’s disregard for transparent procurement processes. Despite government regulations mandating the use of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) system to enhance transparency, MSRRDA opted for direct purchases from local markets without inviting competitive bids, amounting to Rs 12.07 lakh during 2017 to 2019. This evasion of established procurement channels raises red flags about the funneling of public funds into unverified suppliers, leaving the entire procurement process vulnerable to abuse and corruption.
Adding to these concerns, MSRRDA also failed to deduct Rs 1 lakh in Goods and Services Tax (GST) at source, as required under GST law. This oversight allowed suppliers to evade taxes that would have otherwise contributed to the state’s revenue, suggesting not just negligence but potential complicity in aiding vendors to escape their tax obligations.
The revelations of corruption at MSRRDA go far beyond simple administrative lapses—they represent a profound betrayal of public trust. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), under which these funds were allocated, was designed to improve rural connectivity and uplift remote communities through the construction of all-weather roads. However, the audit reveals how deep-rooted corruption has jeopardized the implementation of these essential infrastructure projects, depriving rural populations of the development they desperately need.
While the agency has issued statements promising to address the issues raised by the audit, the severity of the corruption uncovered suggests a long-standing culture of mismanagement that will require urgent and thorough intervention. Failure to take decisive action will not only further erode public confidence in government institutions but will also embolden similar corrupt practices across other agencies within the state.
