During the April-September/2018 Mini Budget period, the Mon State government spent more than 10 million kyat on 5 projects, without calling for tenders or bids, according to the Mon State Auditor-General’s report to the State Hluttaw (Parliament).
Presidential guidelines note that if there is a budgetary expense for more than 10 million kyat, a tendering process (also known as a call for bids) is required. However, according to the Mon State Auditor-General Daw Thein Thein Oo, this guideline was not followed with 5 projects.
“Although five projects have cost over 10 million Kyats, no tender process has been carried out. The three projects among five have been implemented with permission from the State government and rural road construction department,” said Daw Thein Thein Oo.
The Mon State Auditor-General reporting to the Hluttaw (photo: MNA)
The five were all road construction projects. One involved road work between Aung Thabyay and Nit-Kayin in Ye Township and another road work project was between Nyaung Gone Kyi and Tan-Bin-Chaung-Lay. These contracts were awarded to two separate companies, The remaining three road construction projects were all awarded to the Rural Road Construction Department.
The Mon State Auditor-General raised this issue at the14th regular session of Second of Mon State Hluttaw [Parliament] meeting. Deputy Speaker Dr. Aung Naing Oo also pointed out that information about a new garbage shredder at Kyaikhtiyo pagoda that was reviewed by the Auditor-General report showed differences from the information that was provided to the Hluttaw.
“In the 2018 fiscal year, over 400 million kyats was allocated for a new garbage shredder to be installed at the Kyaikhtiyo pagoda under the government ‘s capital expenditure [budget line]. However in the [auditors report], it is shown as 242 million kyats from the government and another 242 million kyats coming from the Pagoda Board of Trustees funds, so I think it’s not matching” said Dr. Aung Naing Oo to the Hluttaw meeting.
The Mon State government did not have any comments on the Auditor-General’s report other than one government minister acknowledging that it was a comprehensive report.
