Zeliang Students’ Union alleges anomaly in Tening-Lekie road project

Zeliang Students’ Union (ZLSU) while expressing dismay that the Tening-Lekie road project under NERSDS was stalled due to pending case before the court, also pointed out certain anomalies.
While people were hopeful for speedy settlement of the court cases, ZLSU through its media cell said it had learnt that the office of the chief engineer (R&B) allegedly permitted a firm—one of the contending party in the court, to take up the work based only on LOA issued on March 16, 2020, which was stayed by the High Court on March 24, 2020, in contravention of the laid down norms.
It alleged that the CE in total disregard of the facts and the order of the High Court directed the executive engineer Peren division to allow the contractor Naagaami Infratech Pvt.Ltd. to complete the works without any contract agreement and work order issued by the authority concerned. This was an outright contempt of court, it said. The union t also pointed out that that High Court had once again on February 23, 2022 intervened and ordered that no work should be carried out at the work site.
In this regard, ZLSU cautioned that in the event the matter aggravates, the office of the CE would be solely held responsible for any untoward incidents.
While stating that it was in the interest of the people for the work to be executed and completed at the earliest, ZLSU however, said it expected proper procedures to be followed so that there would be no problem in the future and the project would be a success.
Questioning the intention of the CE’s office, ZLSU claimed that the executive engineer (R&B) Peren division was also in the dark of the development as there was no intimation of work order to its office as the project fell under Peren division. With several pending cases seeking justice for various developmental activities in the state, ZLSU said the action of CE was inviting more court cases, and which upon investigation will further delay the project and bring another burden to the State government. The union further sought clarification from the CE as to whether a contractor can be directed to go ahead with the execution of works without contract agreement and work order. This collusion should be thoroughly investigated by central investigating agency and let law take its course of action. ZLSU stated.
Taking note of the matter, ZLSU has asked the CE and EE Peren division not to release any amount against the project until the matter was disposed-off in the court.
It further cautioned if anything was done in contrary to its appeal, the union shall leave no stone unturned to uproot the facts and that the two officers would be answerable “for fraud and misuse of office to any investigating agency for which we will democratically press for as this road project is of utmost importance and necessity.”