More than Nu 4 M worth of irregularities were reported in Samtse in 2019. As per the annual audit report for the year, the irregularities range from accepting defective works to failure in adjusting advances paid to contractors, which dates back to 2017.
The report, which came out last week, shows that the Samtse Dzongkhag Administration accepted the two-block 32-bedded hostel for Taba Dramtoe Lower Secondary School in Tading Gewog, despite visible defects. The report pointed out cracks on hostel walls, drains, RRM wall, and leakages from the toilet. The construction was completed at a cost of more than Nu 12 M.
Another incidence where the dzongkhag had not called in the concerned contractors to rectify the defective works is at Ugyentse Gewog. The gewog’s three-unit staff quarters were found with several defects. The construction cost was about Nu 3 M.
The report also pointed out that the Samtse Municipality had not sorted out how the weir, which is a small barrier built across a stream or river to raise the water level, at Dhamdum was damaged. As per the report, the dzongkhag administration had not furnished experts view on the cause of the damage to the weir, which was built with a total expenditure of over Nu 2 M.
The report showed that the Samtse Dzongkhag Administration failed to adjust outstanding public works advances paid to contractors, which amounts to Nu 1.7 M. According to the report, most outstanding advances dates back to the 2016-2017 financial year.
Samtse Dzongkhag’s irregularity of Nu 4.054 M is eighth among the 20 dzongkhags.
Sherub Dorji
