The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accused three engineers of Thimphu Thromde and two contractors for collusion and bribery while carrying out developmental works of the thromde.
The case was brought to the notice of ACC in 2017.
Due to corrupt practices in the new construction of roads, drains, sewer networks, footpaths and maintenance of the old ones, the Commission stated there is a risk of quality of the works being compromised and waste of public funds.
The Commission charged a 39-year-old engineer of Thimphu Thromde for passive bribery in accordance to the Anti-Corruption Act of Bhutan after he was alleged of manipulating tender bid of a contractor on the pretext of correcting arithmetical error and helping the contractor win the bid. He was a tender evaluation committee member and the contractor paid the engineer Nu 178,500 over a period of eight months after the evaluation of the bids. The work was providing and laying sewer lines at upper Langjophaka and upper Taba.
The commission also charged 34-year-old engineer of Thimphu Thromde of passive bribery for allegedly receiving Nu 100,000 from the contractor who constructed only 50 manholes instead of the 76. It happened during the construction of sewer networks in Motithang, Changangkha, Zilukha and adjoining areas.
The engineer, who was compulsorily retired in February last year, was also accused of not informing the management about the absence of the project engineer while executing the work. This, according to the ACC is a breach of contract.
ACC’s investigation also found out another engineer’s involvement in contract works awarded to the contractors. He was assigned to monitor and inspect for the same work. According to the commission, the contractors allowed him to carry out the work after having verbal understandings. He is also said to have verified the final bills for one construction company without actual construction of manholes at Yangchenphug area and differences in depth of the manholes. He was charged for three counts of abuse of functions in accordance with section 58 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.
Meanwhile, the ACC cancelled the licenses of the two contractors after finding corrupt practices. The two contractors, one based in Mongar and other in Thimphu, were charged for active bribery. They were accused of violating the Anti-Corruption Act.
Kinley Dem
