18 August, 2007 - Two contractors and a
dzongkhag junior engineer
have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from six months to two years 11 months for their involvement in the fraudulent tendering of the Buli-Tshaidang farm road, in Zhemgang.
The dzongkhag junior engineer, Sonam Wangchuk, was given two years for official misconduct, contractor Tshering Dorji got two years and 11 months and contractor Nawang Dorji six months for forging and tampering with official documents. Nawang Dorji’s license was suspended for a year.
According to Drangpon, P.R. Gurung, the junior engineer had colluded with the private contractor while evaluating the tender bid documents. “The bid amount was lowered from about Nu. 9.6 million to Nu. 9.0 million,” he said. The verdict was passed on August 9.
The case was filed by the Attorney General in April this year and was the first corruption case to be tried at the Zhemgang court.
District engineer Kezang Penjore said that the contract would be awarded soon and the construction of the farm road, stalled for the time being, would resume next month.
By Tashi Dema
t_dyel@kuensel.com.bt
