Kerala Govt to root out corruption in PWD: Minister

Kochi, Sep 9 (UNI) Blaming an ''unholy nexus'' between certain Public Works Department officials and contractors for the poor condition of roads in Kerala, State Finance Minister Thomas Issac today said the government is committed to rooting out corruption in this area.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Issac said corruption and leakage of funds were the major reasons for the unmotorable roads in the state.

The government would submit before the state High Court the facts revealed after investigations by the government agencies in this regard, he said.

Kerala High Court had earlier this week directed the state government to file an affidavit on the revenue collections made by it by way of motor vehicles tax in the past two years and the amount spent on road works. It also told the government to state the proposed budget for road works this year.

Mr Issac said the government was expecting Rs 835 crore by way of motor vehicles tax collections this year. A total of Rs 2,042 crore was needed for road development works in the state.

Stating that allocation of money was not a problem for taking up road works, Mr Issac said the government would clear the pending payments to contractors as per the court directive.

The government had already paid Rs 514 crore to contractors this year, he said.

Asserting the government's resolve to tackle the ''unholy nexus'' between certain PWD officials and contractors, Mr Issac said the government will not allow arbitrary waiving of tender conditions and cost escalation.

The rates would be revised every year in a transparent manner and the tender conditions strictly implemented.

Alleging widespread flouting of tendering norms during the previous UDF Government, Mr Issac said road works worth Rs 500 crore were allotted without floating tenders.

Citing the 'leakage' of funds in road works in the state, he said while the PWD spent Rs three lac to Rs four lac per km of road, the Central guideline for the national highways was only Rs 60 thousand per km.

UNI