Mr. Mons said in his resignation letter that he was resigning as per the decision of his party Kerala Congress (Joseph). He thanked the Chief Minister and requested him to accept the resignation.
The Chief Minister will forward the resignation to the Governor R. S. Gavai for acceptance shortly.
Mr. P. J. Joseph, who was the Public Works Minister in the LDF Ministry, had stepped down as Minister nearly three years ago following registration of a case against him alleging misbehaviour with a woman passenger in an aircraft. He is returning to the ministry after a Chennai court acquitted him of the charges.
Mr. Mons Joseph has been Minister for nearly two years. He became Minister after T. U. Kuruvila, who had replaced Mr. P. J. Joseph in September 2006, resigned over allegations pertaining a land deal.
Talking to the media before submitting his resignation, Mr. Mons Joseph said that he could fulfill the promises given to the people and the Assembly as Minister.
He announced that administrative sanction had been accorded for public works costing Rs. 1000 crore a few days ago, in addition to works costing Rs. 2000 crore sanctioned earlier as part of measures for revival of the economy. The quantum of works sanctioned now, which includes 100 bridges, was a record for the State. About 30 per cent of the budgeted funds for this year had already been expended.
Mr. Mons Joseph noted that he could ensure transparency in the award of public works contracts. The works were recommended by the members of the Assembly. Procedures had been completed for introduction of e-tendering.
The PWD manual had been revised. Revision of PWD code was underway. PWD rates were being revised every year. Arrears payable to the contractors had been cleared.
He was happy about the results of his work as Minister.
