Notices issued to Melur prez, vice prez over poor quality works

COIMBATORE: The Nilgiris Collector SP Amrith has sought an explanation from a panchayat president and vice president over inferior quality of infrastructure works executed in Coonoor area.

Notices were sent to Melur panchayat president KC Renuka Devi and vice president S Raj Kumar seeking an explanation over poor quality of works and why action shouldn’t be taken against them. The notices were issued under provisions of the 205 and 206 of Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act.

The action comes in the wake of complaints against both the elected representatives, on poor quality of works in construction of a sewage drain and concrete slab executed at a cost of Rs 10 lakh. During an inspection, the concrete slab was easily damaged, when officials hammered it to check its strength. It came to light that wooden sticks were used instead of iron rods for constructing the drain.

Besides poor quality of works, the panchayat representatives were unable to produce documents related to work and resolutions moved in the panchayat council. The panchayat president and vice president were supposed to give their reply within 15 days of receiving the notice.

An official said that if their response were not satisfactory, then further action would be initiated towards their removal from the posts. Until then, both the president and vice president were barred from signing official documents or to carry out financial transactions. Already, a Block Development Officer and an assistant engineer have been placed under suspension in connection with inferior works.