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| PWD minister Sarat Barkotoky and chief minister Tarun Gogoi. Picture by UB Photos |
The Assam public works department, with its numerous failures, is loathed by the people. The most common complaint against the key government department is that it is very corrupt and hardly works towards fulfiling its mandate of putting in place basic infrastructure.
Some say it should be renamed as the political works department as politicians are widely considered to control its destiny. While most officials are only too happy to oblige, others allege that the PWD makes a good case study of the politician-contractor-official nexus.
Going by the strong perceptions, even the greatest optimist would not think twice before concluding that the PWD is beyond redemption. However, a concerted attempt has been launched to remove this perception. Leading from the front is minister Sarat Barkotoky and commissioner A.P. Borgohain. Together, the duo has been working silently to bring about positive changes in the department and fuel development activities by managing funds from external agencies.
Says a 64-year-old Barkotoky, “What we have done is for you to judge. It takes time to set things right. As far as corruption is concerned, you saw what action we took against the contractor and our own officials for the collapse of the under-construction bridge in Pandu. We have blacklisted the contractor and placed three of our officials under suspension. It was case of negligence and we are trying to get one of them dismissed. All I can say is that we are doing our best and can assure you that under the able leadership of Tarun Gogoi, we will meet the aspirations of the people.”
About the ensuing ministry downsizing exercise, to be effected by July 7, Barkotoky remains unfazed. “Whom to keep and whom to drop is the prerogative of the chief minister. As a loyal Congress worker I am bound to go by the decision he takes. I must also add that there is no rift between us. It is the creation of vested interests. We have done well as a team,” he adds.
Equally circumspect is Borgohain, “What can I say about perception? It is not the whole truth. I request you to make your own inquiries to find out what we have done and have been doing under Barkotoky. We still have some way to go but we are on our way.”
That mission redemption is on in full swing becomes evident when one takes a look at the gradually changing face of Guwahati, at the recharged road research laboratory in Fatasil and at the attempt to promote the use of computers for swift execution of work. The World Bank and Asian Development Bank, and International Labour Organisation’s are keen to work with the department, which co-ordinates closely with the government.
The department has also introduced electronic tendering system (ETS) to check corruption.
Says PWD counsel Jyotirmoy Roy, “Things have become more systematic now and the credit for this goes to the minister and commissioner. There are cases of delay in payment of contractors but it is mostly because of the government’s funds crunch. A move has been initiated to clear the arrears that have accumulated over the years. Because of non-interference and close co-ordination, there are hardly any stay orders. This is a major achievement.”
Assam, according to a senior PWD engineer, was perhaps the first state in the country to have a digitised map of a block while making a presentation for funds under the Prime Minister’s Sadak Rozgar Yojana.
“Use of computers have helped us prepare a databank and mapping system. It is of great help in monitoring and wards of contracts. Along with the move to have introduce ETS, there will also be a revival of the almost-defunct Regional Research Laboratory. The laboratory is conducting tests, training of PWD personnel and contractors on new trends through seminars. The changes will become visible in two to three years’ time,” he said.
Another important development has been the formation of the Assam State Road Board last year, the main function of which will be maintaining assets. “The government will soon release Rs 60 crore and funds will also be made available from the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to maintain roads, which had not been possible for long because against a requirement of Rs 261 crore we used to get only Rs 20 crore. Hence the delay in payment of contractors. This is a very positive development. With funds and volume of work increasing, things should look up,” said a leading contractor, requesting anonymity.
The contractor said though the department, which had lost its way during the two years of the AGP-led government, was trying to change itself with the change of guard at Dispur. The pace picked up, with the hosting of the 63rd Indian Road Congress in Guwahati last year.
“Not many know that it was the first time that the congress was held in the Northeast, thanks to the initiative of Barkotoky and Borgohain, to interact with experts, funding agencies. Given their enthusiasm, we contributed over Rs 25 crore to get the roads and streets repaired to make Guwahati presentable. We have cleared our dues. The PWD of today and PWD before 2001 is different,” he said.
It is said Barkotoky, former principal of a high school who joined the party in 1970, has not got the credit he deserved because he maintains a low profile despite being one of the most popular Congress leader and minister in the Gogoi cabinet.
“He has used his experience as minister of state for education in the Saikia cabinet to good effect. Managing PWD is not an easy task and he has done a pretty decent job. Just see what he has done in Sonari and the adjoining areas,” the contractor added.
“The A.T. Road from Sivasagar to Borhat was in bad shape for over a decade. He had started the process of getting it relaid when he was in the Opposition and the journey, which used to take close to five hours, now takes two hours,” says Mritunjoy Das, who works for a Centre-funded malaria project in Sonari.
One has to admit the PWD and Barkotoky has travelled a long way in the past three years.