The Meghalaya Lokayukta has ordered an enquiry into the alleged supply of low quality aluminium roofing sheets in the State and to submit a report by September 3.
In an order passed today, Meghalaya Lokayukta chairperson Bhalang Dhar also directed the State government to stop distribution of the roofing sheets to beneficiaries.
The action was following the complaint filed by Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) president Roy Kupar Synrem against Director of Housing D D Sangma.
The HYC has demanded a probe by the Lokayukta into the alleged supply of substandard and low quality corrugated aluminium roofing sheets under the Chief Minister Housing Assistance Programme (CMHAP). The roofing sheets were supplied by Hariana Iron Works Pvt Ltd, Kolkata.
As per the order, MPS officer Bipul Das will conduct the preliminary enquiry and on the basis of material, information and documents collected, seek the comments on the allegations made in the complaint from the public servant and competent authority.
The Lokayukta also asked Das to submit the enquiry report by September 3 after obtaining the comments of the concerned public servants and competent authority.
It also said that as far as aluminium roofing sheets in the godowns are concerned, ‘status quo as on today shall be maintained”, that is, no aluminium roofing sheets shall be lifted, substituted or distributed to the beneficiaries”.
Meanwhile, the Housing Department has launched a separate enquiry into the matter.
The enquiry team has started conducting spot inspection for verifying the quality of the roofing sheets in seven districts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills region from today.
The enquiry team headed by Housing Department Joint Secretary L C Marak will visit the godowns of the different community and rural development blocks in East Khasi Hills on July 2 to 9, West Jaintia Hills on July 12, Ri Bhoi on July 13, Eastern West Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills on July 16, East Jaintia Hills on July 19 and South West Khasi Hills on July 20.
All District Housing Officers (DHOs) and Block Development Officers (BDOs) have been asked to be present in their respective offices during the visit by the enquiry team for spot inspection and verification regarding the supply of substandard and low quality corrugated roofing sheets as alleged.
The Departmental Tender Committee of the Directorate of Housing based on the notice inviting quotation floated in 2022 has placed indent order for aluminium roofing sheets for the year 2022-23 and 2023-24 from the approved supplier known as Hariana Iron Works Pvt Ltd Kolkata, West Bengal. The roofing sheets have been delivered by the company to the different districts and block headquarters.
