KHUPKHOHAO KILONG Vs. THE STATE OF MANIPUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE work order being No. E -TENDER/2010 - MSRRDA/VII/UKL/P -936/610 dated 21st March, 2011 issued by the respondent No. 2, Chief Engineer, Manipur State Rural Road Development Agency (MSRRDA) for the package No. MNO 936 of the PMGSY Phase No. VII of Ukhrul District, Manipur (Kharasom to Soraphung) in favour of respondent No. 3, Shri Khasim Vashum, had been put to challenge in the writ petition. Heard Mr. A. Sachikumar, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Th. Ibohal, learned senior GA appearing for respondent No.1, Mr. Jalal Uddin, learned counsel appearing for respondent No. 2 and Ms Puspa, learned counsel appearing for respondent No. 3.

(2.) THE Government of India launched a scheme called "Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana" (PMGSY) on 25th December, 2000 to provide all weather access to unconnected habitations. The primary objective of the PMGSY is to provide connectivity by way of an all weather road (with necessary culverts and cross -drainage structures, which is operable throughout the year), to the eligible unconnected habitations in rural areas in such a way that all unconnected habitations with a population of 1000 persons and above are covered in three years (2000 - 2003) and all unconnected habitations with a population of 500 persons and above by the end of the Tenth Plan Period (2007). In respect of the Hill States (North -East, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttaranchal) and the Desert Areas (as identified in the Desert Development Programme) as well as the Tribal (Schedule V) areas, the objective would be to connect habitations with population of 250 persons and above.

(3.) AS per the guidelines issued by the Central Government, the State Government would identify one or two suitable agencies. For the State of Manipur, Manipur State Rural Road Development Agency (MSRRDA for short) established and constituted under the control and jurisdiction of the Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Government of Manipur is the implementing Agency for such road under the PMGSY scheme. The respondent No. 2 (Chief Engineer, MSRRDA) issued notice inviting tender under NIT No. E -TENDER/PMGSY/01/PH -VII/2009 -10 dated 27th March, 2010 through E -Tendering system for the Package No. MN0 936 (Kharasom to Soraphung) of PMGSY Package No. VII from eligible candidates for execution of contract work.