Probe ordered into beautification project

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 9. The Ombudsman for Local Self- Government Institutions has ordered a detailed inquiry into the implementation of the City Corporation's project to beautify the premises of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

The order was issued on the basis of a petition filed by a former police official, Mr. M. Krishnan Nair, alleging that there was embezzlement of funds totalling Rs. 25 lakhs in the implementation of the project.

The project was estimated to cost Rs. 33.5 lakhs and a Corporation contractor, Mr. K. Madhu, was authorised to implement it. The contractor was given a total of Rs. 28.5 lakhs in seven instalments, but he did not complete the work.

The petition alleged that work worth only about Rs. 3 lakhs was executed and that the contractor had embezzled the remaining Rs. 25.5 lakhs.

The Corporation had replied to the charges made in the petition, but the Ombudsman felt that a detailed inquiry was needed. The forum also ordered the production of the report filed by the Chief Technical Examiner.

The case, which would be taken up for hearing on July 5, is being heard by a full Bench comprising the Ombudsman chairman, Mr. P.A. Mohammed, and the members, Dr. D. Babu Paul and Mr. T.V. Balan.

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Section  : Southern States
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