The Hindu : Other States / Pondicherry News : Rangasamy dismisses allegations against PWD

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Thursday, Apr 07, 2005

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Rangasamy dismisses allegations against PWD

By our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, APRIL 6. The Pondicherry Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy, today dismissed allegations made against the Public Works Department (PWD), asserting that the Government was providing a fair, corruption free and transparent administration.

Winding up the debate on the demands for grants to the PWD, the Electricity Department, the Corporation and other departments in the Assembly, Mr. Rangasamy, said that a foolproof tender system was adopted when finalising contracts for infrastructural development. He referred to the procedures adopted before assigning the construction of the Rs 34.60 crore-Women and Child hospital project to a contractor. The PWD had short-listed the contractors and the work was assigned, adhering to the prescribed procedures.

Construction work had begun and would be completed in 18 months. There might be procedural lapses in Government departments but they should not be termed "corruption or malpractices," he said. He asserted that his Government was committed to living up to the expectations of the people.

`Numero Uno'

Mr. Rangasamy said that the PWD was sanctioned Rs 183 crores for infrastructural development and work for about Rs. 5 crores had been completed. He said that his ambition was to make Pondicherry the `Numero Uno' in the country.

Referring to Government decisions to ameliorate the staff in cooperative societies, he said that those working on a daily wage basis would be paid Rs. 120 a day and clerical staff would be paid Rs. 140. Workers engaged in cleaning the underground drainage would be paid a risk allowance of Rs. 750 a month.

Former legislators would be paid a monthly allowance of Rs. 6000. He also announced that the MLAs would be given laptops.

After the Chief Minister's replies, the House granted the funds needed for the PWD, the Corporation, the Electricity and other departments.

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