Poor construction of panchayat road alleged

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, Sept 19:  While BJP MLA Suren Phukan of Digboi was being heard claiming of transparency and quality implementation and execution of developmental works across his assembly jurisdiction here in Digboi, the poor standard of construction of the 1.4 km Panchayat Path in front of the Golai Panchayat office, funded under the 13th Fince Commission at an estimated cost of Rs 5 lakh, portrays a contradictory picture.

Categorically alleging sub-standard quality of work, the residents of Golai area, while talking to media persons, said that the road was built with inferior pavers block and concrete side bumps and by employing some local residents of the area in the work without the knowledge of the engineer concerned, resulting in immediate cracks, faults and falling of the blocks due to lack of compaction works on the road.

Meanwhile, Bipul Bora, who claimed to be a representative of the local MLA, said that for ‘any act of omission and commission to this effect, the Panchayat secretary is accountable and answerable’. Padum Khaklari, a local resident near the Panchayat office remarked, “All the required raw materials were provided by the panchayat, we have simply assisted in the work.”

Meanwhile, when contacted, Ranjit Konwar, the secretary of Golai GP, after visiting the site which still remains to be completed, said that he was bound to leave the construction work as some of the local BJP activists insisted for work. Failing to prove with the pressure check certificate or report approving the quality of pavers block used on the road, Konwar, who claims to be a close friend of  Lakhindan Gogoi, the Chief Executive Officer, Tinsukia Zila Parishad, said that he was not free to act of his own and assured of maintaining quality works in other rural projects employing skilled workers and proper, regular and effective monitoring system.

Golai Gaon Panchayat was one of the most anomalous units of Digboi LAC wherein the body along with the female president was earlier alleged of involvement in large-scale fincial scam resulting in poor and faulty execution of Amar Gaon Amar Axom scheme worth Rs 36 lakh earmarked for the Golai Panchayat developmental works out of the 14th Fince Commission. Meanwhile, the then secretary Rajen Gogoi was thereafter transferred after due rectification and completion of various projects and Ranjit Konwar succeeded him as the secretary of the said GP.