Social Welfare Director refutes allegation of rice transport scandal

Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by SPN Editor

Social Welfare director Ngangom Uttam has clarified that the tender inviting transporters for transporting rice and micronutrients for Anganwadi centres are yet to be completed.

Speaking to media at the office of the social welfare director, Ng Uttam stated that the social welfare directorate has already asked the transport directorate to verify the ownership of vehicles submitted by certain firms in the tender process.

He further pointed out that a total of 16 firms/contractors applied for the tender for the transportation of rice and micronutrients following the notice inviting tender (NIT) by the social welfare department. However, only seven were approved by the tender committee in the first phase, he said.

One of the firms was disqualified on the charges of submitting forged and fake documents. As such, after a fresh proceeding of the tender committee, only six of the firms were approved for price bids.

Uttam further said that the “tender process is an ongoing one just like an exam, those without valid documents will be automatically rejected”.

Legal and necessary action will be taken against the firm if they had committed forged and fake documents, he added.

Meanwhile, an Imphal-based local newspaper has published a report titled, “Anganwadi rice transport scandal in Manipur Social Welfare department” alleging the technical tender committee headed by the Social Welfare director Ngangom Uttam has approved a certain firm with fake and forged documents in gross violation of NIT terms and conditions.

The said NIT was with regards to the selection of eligible transport contractors for transportation of 20,072 MT of rice from FCI depots located in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Jiribam, Senapati, Ukhrul and Churachandpur 2,656 MT of micronutrient fortified food from the department of Social Welfare’s godown located at Takyelpat, Imphal West to various Anganwadi centres for a period of two years at an estimated value of Rs 14,20,53,144.