Miao, Sept 15: The All Tangsa Students Union (ATSU) has lodged a formal complaint with the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Miao, accusing “negligence, incompetence, and suspected corruption” in the execution of the Augmentation of Water Supply Project in Miao Township under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS).
Sanctioned in 2020 at a cost of ₹28.51 crore (tendered at ₹28.10 crore), the project was awarded to the Itanagar-based firm M/s Sky Enterprise to supply 3.57 Million Litres per Day of clean drinking water. The project was originally scheduled for completion by June 2022, later extended to February 2023, but remains incomplete even after more than three years.
In its complaint, ATSU accused the authorities and contractor of delaying the project, lacking accountability, and engaging in possible financial irregularities. “Instead of progress, what we witness is an endless delay, lack of accountability, and possible financial irregularities that have left the people of Miao Township in continuous distress,” the Union stated.
The complaint further highlighted the plight of residents, many of whom are forced to depend on streams, hand-pumps, borewells, and even purchase water at high prices. “The very purpose of the NESIDS-funded project, to ensure equitable access to clean water and safeguard public health, has been completely defeated due to the laxity of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Miao Division, and the non-serious approach of the contractor,” it alleged.
ATSU expressed serious concerns over possible collusion between PHED officials and the contractor, stating, “This unending delay not only demonstrates gross incompetence but also raises a strong suspicion of corruption and collusion between officials of PHED Miao and M/s Sky Enterprise.”
The Union urged the ADC to initiate an independent investigation into the matter, examine the misappropriation of funds, and take strict disciplinary action, including blacklisting the contractor if corruption is proven. It demanded that the project be completed within a fixed and enforceable timeline.
Warning of further action, ATSU stated, “The people of Miao Township cannot be made to suffer endlessly while a project worth crores of rupees lies in limbo under the guise of bureaucratic inefficiency and contractor negligence. Failing this, ATSU will be left with no option but to escalate the matter before higher authorities and, if required, seek redressal through the Hon’ble Courts.”
