Assam: PWD takes illegal 2% commission after new minister’s induction, alleges Akhil Gogoi

GUWAHATI: Sibsagar independent legislator Akhil Gogoi has put some serious allegations on the Assam Public Works Department (PWD) and said that with the new minister's entry, the department started the culture of taking 2% commission illegally.

Notably, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is also the Minister of the department.

"The department does not have enough funds and schemes. Only the centre's PMGSY is running. A handful of contractors like Anupam Sharma, Anil Das and Anand Jain are running the department alone," said Gogoi.

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Gogoi's statement heated up the Assembly instantly and adding fuel to that Gogoi further said, “The department was running very clean and transparently under former Minister Parimal Suklabaidya. The problem started after the new PWD Minister took charge and the culture of taking two per cent illegal commission started."

Gogoi asserted that road is a social conveyance that brings economic vibrancy & transformation.

"Every department must have a vision and roadmap for development and I have not seen any such vision of PWD yet," said Gogoi.

Gogoi also emphasized a strong research wing of the department to execute plans.

The MLA strongly demanded the scrapping of toll gates over incomplete roads in Assam until the roads get complete.

"We all have seen reports how these toll gates are being used for collecting Gunda tax," he said

In response to Akhil’s statement, Assam CM as well as the Minister of PWD Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the centre would not have released more funds for road construction had Assam not made its toll gates functional.

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