Chandy demands LDF to clarify stand on contract renewal

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 14 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy today asked the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government to clarify the circumstances that led to renewal of the contract to Malaysian company ''Pati-Bel'' at a time when a vigilance inquiry was on against the company.

''It was the LDF government that initiated a vigilance inquiry against the ''Pati-Bel'' and Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), alleging corruption in the work. Now they have renewed the contract.

Finance Minister Thomas Issac should have to clarify on what circumstances the contract was renewed,'' he told mediapersons here.

The LDF had taken a harsh stand against the KSTP, he said and added that ''Mr Issac had even stated that all the trouble relating to the ongoing works in the MC road was because of the 'Pati-Bel' and it should be blacklisted.'' Mr Chandy said Kerala would lose about Rs 120 crore, because of the delay in completing the project.

On several issues at Sabarimala, Mr Chandy alleged that the government had failed to provide basic facilities to the pilgrims.

''The Chief Minister is maintaining silence and the Devaswom Minister and TDB members are engaged only in war of words,'' he alleged.

UNI