Mizoram Health Minister alleges Rs.21 lakhs taken illegally
The Health Minister, Mr. Lalrinliana Sailo alleged that 21 lakh rupees was illegally taken from the contractor by the Executive Engineer in charge of construction of Ayush building in Aizawl Civil Hospital.
Disclosing this in a press conference in his office chamber today, the Health Minister said, Rs.21,00,000/- was taken by the Executive Engineer, Mr. Lalsangliana Chhakchhuak from the 1st Class Contractor, Mr. Selkhuma of Ramthar Veng, Aizawl from the estimated amount of Rs.72,52,000.
When the Executive Engineer was asked about it he admitted that the amount was shared by the former Health Minister, Mr. R. Tlanghmingthanga and the Health Director, Dr. N. Palai and he himself.
In this press conference, the contractor, Mr. Selkhuma was also present and answered some questions asked by the reporters. In reply to our Corr. after the press conference, the contractor confirmed that he handed over Rs.21,00,000/- to the Executive Engineer on the 12th of November, 2008.
The Health Minister also referred to the MNF press release issued yesterday in which he was said to have hands in awarding of Champhai District Hospital contract to B.L Ajit Saria of Tanti Construction Ltd., the Health Minister said, the contract was awarded by the Health Director on 22nd December, 2008 and the Congress Government had no hand in awarding of the contract as all arrangements had already been made by the previous Government.
He also asserted that awarding of the contract to Ajit Saria has no connection with the 5 lakh rupees bribe given to him by the contractor and the amount was fully returned to the contractor on the 11th June, 2009 in his office with a number of witnesses including news persons.
The Health Minister also expressed regret for payment of over 96 lakh rupees to Aegis International for consultation fee in connection with upgradation of Aizawl Civil Hospital and over 81 lakh rupees for Champhai hospital under National Rural Health Mission.
Referring to the alleged missing fund to the tune of 6 crore, 50 lakh rupees for upgradation of Aizawl Civil Hospital, the Health Minister said that the sanction order for 10 crore rupees was the only paper traceable so far and the Centre also is asked to confirm issue of the sanction order. The Minister also asserted that all the sanction for upgradation of Aizawl Civil Hospital was accorded during 2007-2008 which was before the term of the Congress Government.
He also alleged that the objective of renewing the past irregularity by some of the MNF Party leaders could be an attempt to victimize some of their party leaders while in fight is going on within the party for the leadership posts. The Health Minister was assisted by Mr. John Siamkunga, MLA, the Chief Secretary, Mr. Vanhela Pachuau and Health Department Officers.
Source: Zonet Today
