Shillong, July 2: The Meghalaya Lokayukta on Tuesday issued an order directing the state Housing department to maintain status quo in its godowns and mustn’t lift, distribute or substitute aluminium roofing sheets.
The order was passed after a complaint was lodged before the Lokayukta by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) alleging that the department had not followed the guidelines and supplied thinner roofing material.
“Regarding the aluminum roofing sheets in the godowns, status quo as on today shall be maintained, that is, no aluminium roofing sheets shall be lifted, substituted, distributed to the beneficiaries,” the Meghalaya Lokayukta Chairperson, Bhalang Dhar directed.
The HYC has accused the Housing department of engaging in fraudulent activities, malpractices, and corruption.” The NGO said the department was supposed to supply roofing material with 0.45 mm thickness.
However, it has supplied roofing sheets with 0.25 mm to 0.28 mm thickness and violated the guidelines. It further alleged that the supplier, Hariana Iron Works Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata, West Bengal, does not have expertise in manufacturing roofing material.
The Housing department has procured the aluminium roofing material worth about Rs. 70 crore and these roofing materials are meant for distribution to beneficiaries who routinely are affected due to natural calamities.
Meanwhile, Dhar further informed that Deputy Superintendent of Police (crime), Bipul Das has been deputed to the Lokayukta by the office of the Director General of Police.
The police official would conduct a preliminary inquiry and would be gathering evidence, documents, and information relating to the case and submit his report to the Lokayukta by September 3.
