Chandy demands probe into KSTP project

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 21 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy today urged Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan to order a probe into the alleged awarding of contract for the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) to PATI-Bel company without inviting proper tenders.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, he alleged that the tender had incurred an additional burden of Rs 120 crore on the State exchequer.

Mr Chandy demanded that the vigilance report on the KSTP work, conducted during the previous Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Government, should be published soon.

Though the Malaysian firm PATI-Bel had agreed to complete the remaining work for Rs 106 crore, the Government agreed to pay an additional Rs 102 crore for completing the remaining work, he said and alleged that the contract was awarded by violating all norms.

UNI