West Siang bodies highlight lacue

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, April 5: The allegations leveled against the West Siang district administration and the deputy director of school education refuses to die down with the surfacing of more ‘evidence’. 16 individuals including anchal members, youth association members and activists had alleged that the DA and DDSE had awarded a Mid-Day Meal contract to a blacklisted firm and questioned the integrity of the selection process. The administration had reacted to the allegations by stating that “applications submitted by four firms were thoroughly verified by the DDSE and Toi Romin of Liromoba Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd and approved by the Deputy Commissioner on Mar 26”. However, interl memos that are in possession of this daily indicate lacus in the selection process. An official memo from the office of the West Siang DDSE issued on March 23 called four contractors who had submitted their tender applications at the DC’s office on March 26 for scrutiny. Amongst the four contractors was M/s TR Enterprise which was blacklisted for its involvement in the Rs 100-crore PDS scam.

It was on March 26 that Liromoba Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd was selected as one of the suppliers. However, in the earlier memo issued on March 23, there was no mention of the said firm. Those complaining of gross violations claim that this did not stop the DDSE’s office from selecting a firm that had not even made a bid. Incidentally, both Liromoba Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd and M/s TR Enterprise have the same proprietor Toi Romin.