Assam Public Works alleges large scale COVID-19 related irregularities, to move High Court

The Assam Public Works alleged large scale COVID-19 related irregularities in different departments of the state government during the lockdown period.

“There are some contractors. They suddenly turned patriot amid this crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and occupied the media space. They have tried to be hero by indulging in irregularities,” APW president Abhijeet Sharma said.

Accusing the government over releasing a big amount of money to some contractors amid the crisis period caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, he said, “Around Rs 200 crore was released by the government to the contractors like Dhanuka and Ki Ki during the lockdown period without the cognizance of the public. This was done keeping the general public restricted at home.”

He said Dhanuka was not blacklisted even after supplying duplicate medicine to the National Health Mission a few years back. “The reason was he was close to the minister, he added.

Dhanuka has allegedly supplied sanitisers to the government at a higher cost.

Also read: Assam: Gauhati High Court grants divorce to man over wife’s refusal to wear ‘sindoor’

Moreover, he accused one Ki ki of being involved in a big scam in providing food and a tent at the quarantine centres. “It will take some time. Everybody will be exposed,” he added.

He further questioned whether the Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is aware or not about the large scale irregularities. “If he is aware of that then why has been maintaining stoic silence”

Sharma said that the organisation will move the Gauhati High Court against the irregularities took place under the nose of the government soon after the government withdraws the lockdown. “We will also write to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the matter. We hope a positive response from the PM,” he said.

Wrong decision

Talking about the complete lockdown enforced in Guwahati for 14 days with effect from June 28^th, 2020 midnight, Sharma said, “The decision of the government to enforce complete lockdown in the city is a wrong decision. It will now help to spread the virus in village areas. Instead of complete lockdown in the city, the government could have banned the movement of the private vehicles across the state which would perhaps put a break in the spread of the COVID-19.”

It is pertinent that the Assam Congress including the former three-time Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Tarun Gogoi also criticised the sudden lockdown decision of the government. Gogoi dubbed the decision as ‘unwise’.

The lockdown decision was taken by the government after the city witnessed a sudden surge in the positive COVID-19 cases for last few days raising questions about possible community transmission. Guwahati recorded 172 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours.

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