Arappor writes to CS, DVAC for action against highways officials

CHENNAI: Arappor Iyakkam convenor Jayaram Venkatesan has written to the Chief Secretary and DVAC director seeking their intervention in the filing of FIR and taking departmental action against highways department officials in Karur for releasing funds to contractors even before the completion of the works.

In the complaint, Jayaram said that subsequent to the suspension of the nine officials of Karur state highways department in April 2022, no charge under section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been handed over to them yet to enable them to move Madras High Court to revoke their suspension.

“We learn that some senior public servants of the highways department are involved in planning this. We, therefore, request you immediately hand over the charge, proceed with departmental action and dismiss them from service based on the plethora of evidence available. Also, take immediate steps in providing prior approval under section 17A of the PCA Act to file FIR and investigate the complaints given by us, ” he demanded.

Arappor Iyakkam had complained in April that in Tirupur and Karur, the widening of roads and reconstruction of drainage works were awarded to a contractor on March 7, 2022. Of the Rs 7 crore, a payment of Rs 3.23 crore was done on March 25 and 28 without any work being carried out.

In the complaint dated October 6, Arappor Iyakkam said that during November 2021-March 2022, 31 tenders worth Rs 163.16 crore were floated by the construction and maintenance wing of the Tirupur circle with respect to the Karur sub division. Out of the 31 tenders, 20 tenders worth Rs 110.86 crore were awarded to Sankaranand Infra alone. In terms of total tenders, 65 per cent of the tenders floated were awarded to Sankaranand Infra, which amounts to about 68 per cent of the total tender value.