Shillong, June 25: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Tuesday lodged a petition before the Meghalaya Lokayukta against the Directorate of Housing for alleged misappropriation of public funds by procuring alleged sub-standard aluminium roofing sheets, which were distributed to the different community & rural development (C&RD) blocks across the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.

The HYC has also urged the Lokayukta to direct the immediate recall of all Order for roofing sheets delivered by Hariana Iron Works Pvt Ltd to various C&RD Blocks in the State and halt any further distribution.

It has also stated in the complaint on the need to direct an independent and thorough enquiry into the entire process of procurement and supply of the sub-standard/low-quality sheets, identifying and holding responsible those involved besides taking stringent action against the Director of Housing or any other officer involved in the procurement of sub-standard materials and to appoint a nodal officer to carry out spot inspections and verifications along with the complainant regarding the quality of the supplied sheets to various C&RD Blocks in Khasi-Jaintia Hills.

In the petition, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem said that the factual matrix leading to the filing of the instant complaint petition is that the complainant organization had received information through numerous verbal complaints regarding the quality of Corrugated Aluminium Roofing Sheets supplied to various C&RD Blocks across Meghalaya, specifically within the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.

“Thereafter, in response to these complaints, an independent inquiry was conducted by HYC-CEC and site visits were made to several C&RD Blocks where the sheets, supplied by Hariana Iron Works Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata, West Bengal were inspected thoroughly. It was found that the Aluminium Roofing Sheets delivered did not conform to the specifications stipulated by the Directorate of Housing, Meghalaya,” he said.

“The order had clearly mandated sheets of AA3105H18 Alloy, 8 Feet Length, 800MM Width, and 0.45MM thickness. However, upon examination during the inquiry, these sheets were found to have a thickness ranging between 0.25MM to 0.28MM, significantly below the required standard,” he said while adding that the Directorate of Housing has consistently ordered sheets of 0.45MM thickness in previous procurements, which had been the established standard for ensuring durability and suitability for construction purposes.

“The deviation from this standard, resulting in the supply of sub-standard sheets, raises serious concerns regarding the quality control and procurement practices within the department,” he stated.

Further, the HYC president also alleged that the supplier, Hariana Iron Works Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata, West Bengal, which was contracted despite not specializing in roofing sheets as per its corporate profile, bears responsibility for delivering materials that do not meet contractual specifications.

This has not only compromised the integrity of public projects aimed at rural development but also potentially endangered the safety and well-being of beneficiaries relying on these materials, he added.

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