GUWAHATI: Award of works without following the tendering process, inflated cost estimate and non-collection of performance security are some of the anomalies observed by the CAG audit in the scheme
Mission of Overall Improvement of Thana for Responsive Image (MOITRI) Scheme was launched in July 2016 with the aim to create modern and citizen-friendly infrastructure in 345 Police Stations (PS) within five years (2017-18 to 2021-22). However the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report revealed that the objective of the MOITRI scheme was defeated as 48 out of 119 PS taken up during the first and second phases remained incomplete as of June 2022, while scheme works in the remaining 226 PS were still at the planning stage.
The CAG report further said that out of 155 other works (100 barracks and 55 other infrastructure projects) planned under the Scheme, only 16 works (one barrack and 15 other projects) could be completed by June 2022. Of the remaining 139 works, 85 works (45 barracks and 40 other projects) were in progress (June 2022), while works in the remaining 54 barracks could not be started so far (September 2022).
It needs to be mentioned that the Assam government in March 2017 constituted the MOITRI Assam Society, which was required to decide the design and facilities to be included in the PS, monitor the implementation of the Scheme besides acting as a fund channelising agency between the state government and the Executive Agencies (EAs).
For the implementation of the project, the Society engaged six EAs, namely, Assam Police Housing Corporation Limited, Assam State Co-Operative Housing Federation Limited, Assam Police Radio Organisation, Criminal Investigation Department of Assam Police, Assam Public Works Department and Assam Public Health Engineering Department, with their specialised role for different components of the Scheme.
The report stated, “Besides, instances of various irregularities (viz. award of works without following tendering process, inflated cost estimate, non-collection of performance security/retention money to safeguard against future defect liability, awarding multiple works without assessing the credentials/workable capacity of contractors, excess payment due to non-verification of the work executed, drawl of Scheme funds without immediate requirement etc.) were also noticed in Scheme implementation.”