4 hrs ago
Tamil Nadu Tender Row Over Works Inaugurated Before Bids
A watchdog group says two public projects in Tambaram were finished before companies were officially invited to bid for them.
The projects were an Ashoka Pillar and a Save Water statue.
Together, they were valued at ₹45.9 lakh.
Minister D Sarathkumar inaugurated both projects.
The group says this may have broken tender rules and wants an anti-corruption investigation.
A government official disagreed with the financial allegations.
The official said a private company paid for the work through corporate social responsibility funds.
The government said a tender was published later because an engineer made a mistake, and that engineer was suspended.
Arappor Iyakkam alleged that two Tambaram municipal works worth ₹45.9 lakh were completed and inaugurated before their tenders were finalized.
The Ashoka Pillar was inaugurated on July 29, eight days before its tender was published, while the Save Water statue was inaugurated on August 10 before bids opened on August 24.
The NGO alleged violations of the Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act and sought a Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption investigation.
A senior government official said the projects were carried out by a private agency using corporate social responsibility funds, causing no government expense.
Tambaram Municipal Corporation Commissioner S Balachander was transferred and placed on compulsory wait after the complaint was released.
- Who
- Arappor Iyakkam made the allegations; Minister D Sarathkumar inaugurated the projects; the Tamil Nadu government defended the work.
- What
- A watchdog alleged that two Tambaram projects were completed and inaugurated before their tender processes were completed.
- Where
- Tambaram Municipal Corporation in Tamil Nadu, with the complaint submitted to the state government in Chennai.
- When
- The Ashoka Pillar was inaugurated on July 29, and the Save Water statue was inaugurated on August 10; the complaint was made on Tuesday.
- Why
- Arappor Iyakkam sought an investigation, alleging tender-rule violations and possible collusion with private contractors.
Watchdog’s Allegations
Government’s Defense
Whether the projects violated tender rules
Watchdog’s Allegations
Arappor Iyakkam said the works were completed and inaugurated before the tender process, breaching trust and the Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act.
Government’s Defense
A senior government official said the work had already been assigned to a private firm and attributed the later tender to an engineer’s lapse.
Whether public money was misused
Watchdog’s Allegations
The NGO alleged direct collusion with private contractors for wrongful gain and requested a corruption investigation.
Government’s Defense
The government official denied financial irregularities, saying corporate social responsibility funds paid for the work and the government incurred no cost.
Who should be held accountable
Watchdog’s Allegations
The NGO sought suspension of the corporation commissioner and other engineers to prevent possible evidence tampering; Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Narayan Thirupathy asked the chief minister to take responsibility.
Government’s Defense
The government said the engineer responsible for the tendering lapse had been suspended, while Commissioner S Balachander was later transferred and placed on compulsory wait.
Key facts
- Projects involved
- Ashoka Pillar and Save Water statue
- Reported value
- ₹45.9 lakh
- Tender timing
- The Ashoka Pillar tender was published eight days after its inauguration; the Save Water tender was published before its scheduled August 24 bid opening but after its August 10 inauguration.
- Watchdog demand
- A Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption probe
- Government explanation
- A private agency carried out the work using corporate social responsibility funds, with no government cost.
- Administrative action
- Commissioner S Balachander was transferred and placed on compulsory wait.
Quotes
Senior Tamil Nadu government official
Government official responding to the tender allegations
“This is a breach of trust, violation of TN Transparency in Tenders Act and evidence of direct collusion with private contractors for wrongful gain”
freepressjournal.in
“There is no financial irregularity. The decision was taken on July 23 and a letter awarded to the private firm two days later”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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