AGARTALA, December 7 (TIWN): Fraudulent manipulations by corrupt officials in PWD, Executive engineer's office, Kolkata based Engineering Projects India Ltd on Bisalgarh Central Prison construction project resulted over Rs. 5 crores funds misappropriation. The Home (Jail) Department accorded (December 2007) administrative approval for Rs. 62.55 crore and expenditure sanction of ` 15.00 crore for construction of 1000 intake capacity Model Central Prison at Bishalgarh. The work was awarded (October 2007) on turnkey basis to the lowest tenderer, M/s Engineering Projects India Ltd (EPIL), Kolkata, with the approval (October 2007) of the Work Advisory Board at the negotiated value of ` 62.55 crore with the stipulation to complete the work within two years. However corrupt nexus among PWD EE, Party leaders and EPIL caused multi-crore embezzlement of funds in Central Prison construction, project funding was provided from Modernisation Scheme and TFC grants.Bishalgarh Central Prison construction CAG reports clearly pinpoints funds misappropriation.

1. Rs. 1.01 crore expenditure was shown on paper as “infructuos expenditure” due to Faulty planning and arbitrary decision to abandon the work after completing upto plinth level for “Construction of Recreation Hall cum Library for Cultural Activities” at Central Prison. But fact is no proof exists and this Rs.1.01 crore was siphoned off by corrupt officials.

3. Rs. 2.51 crores fake expenditure was shown as land development, project delay costs in construction of various buildings, structures, perimeter walls, etc. of the Central Prison at Bishalgarh, payment by the Department towards land/site development as additional item.  

CAG report says,”In violation of the contractual provisions under turnkey contract for construction of the Central Prison at Bishalgarh, payment by the Department towards land/site development as an additional item, which fell well within the scope of work of turnkey contract. This rendered the expenditure of ` 1.56 crore extra which is paid to M/s Engineering Projects India Ltd”.