SHILLONG, JUNE 24: Minister in-charge Housing Marcuise N Marak on Monday said a departmental enquiry will be conducted to find out if there are any irregularities in the procurement of roofing sheets.
Speaking to reporters, Marak said, “As per the report that I am getting there are no irregularities but nonetheless, the complaint has come to me so I have ordered a departmental enquiry.”
“When enquiry is completed, if we find there are some irregularities we will definitely go for that (blacklisting of the company) and I will make sure if officials are involved we will fix the officials as well,” he said.
On June 20, the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) had demanded enquiry into the whole process of procurement and supply of sub-standard/low-quality sheets in contravention of the order placed by the Housing Department and to fix responsibility.
Marak said, “They (HYC) have put the blame on the Directorate so I have asked the joint secretary to go for enquiry with the technical team. It will take around 30-35 days as it has to go to the entire state’s godown so once the enquiry report is given, we will get back to you.”
Asked, the minister claimed that he has verified with the department and found that there are no irregularities in the procurement of the roofing sheets adding the roofing sheets were as per specification and as per requirement agreed upon with the company.
He clarified that the department has gone for the supply of aluminium corrugated sheets (ACS) instead of corrugated galvanised iron (CGI) sheets.
“CGI are heavier but ACS are lighter and much better and are more lasting because CGI sheets are getting rusted very soon. Therefore, the department has decided to procure ACS through a proper tendering process, which was done in the year 2022 by the last government. So the company was given a tender for 24 months, which ended this year in the month of March. Therefore, we don’t have any option but to give to them and the materials supplied by them were also of good quality and as per the specification.”
“Nonetheless, since the NGO has also put up a complaint and they went to the store rooms of the housing department, I have ordered an enquiry. We are going for a proper enquiry now and only after the enquiry I will be able to justify whether we are procuring the same quality, which we have already placed an order for supply. Therefore, I will get back to you once the enquiry is completed,” he stated.