| Staff REPORTER |
ITANAGAR, Feb 12: Former Pakke-Kessang MLA Techi Hemu has alleged misuse of public funds meant for the upgradation of the Pakke-Seijosa-Itakhola road which was sanctioned under the North Eastern Council (NEC), GoI.
Addressing a press conference here today, the former lawmaker claimed that for the project, Rs 141.75 crore was sanctioned by the Centre for which tender was floated in 2017 which was won by M/s PRL Projects and Infrastructure Ltd and M/s Gepong (JV).
“But the contract work is now being executed by M/s Yumiko Global Infra Tech Pvt Ltd by taking a sub contract from the principal contractor. The director of M/s Yumiko Global Infra Tech Pvt Ltd was Roni Lishi and subsequently present MLA BR Wahge’s wife Lishi Yapu, who is the elder sister of Roni Lishi, signed the sub-contract agreement to execute the project as its managing director,” he claimed.
Hemu also alleged that the actual length of the road is 49.600 km but the billing is being made for a total of 62 km with extra 12 km and bill amount for 12 Km has simply been skimmed off which amounts to a criminal act of taking public funds by false billing. This has been done in collusion with the MLA and his wife, and MLA’s elder brother, the then Chief Engineer Katung Wahge.
He further alleged that there are many changes which were done with actual detailed project report (DPR), especially in major bridges of the project and converted into culvert. “The quality of the road was also very poor and small compared to the actual DPR,” he added.
“The result of cost cutting and changing of specifications as per tender has led to the road becoming impossible to navigate at several points as it is often reeling under traffic congestion,” he lamented.
The former MLA has requested Chief Minister Pema Khandu to enquire into the case and to initiate strong action against the officers involved.