The Hindu : Front Page : Furore in Kerala Assembly over KSTP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 07, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Furore in Kerala Assembly over KSTP

Special Correspondent

T.U. Kuruvilla admits that he could not keep his word.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) members took the Government to task on Tuesday over the delay in completion of the World Bank-aided Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) and staged a walkout from the House, alleging inept handling of the project over the last 10 months.

The House also witnessed noisy scenes following certain remarks made by the Congress member Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and his exchanges with the treasury members. At one point, several Opposition members rushed to the aisle of the House questioning the way Saju Paul (CPI-M) was intervening as Mr. Radhakrishnan spoke. Speaker K. Radhakrishnan intervened firmly to restore order. Although Minister for Public Works T.U. Kuruvilla insisted that the Government had been firm in its handling of contractors and quick in taking steps for completion of the remaining portion of the work, the Opposition was not convinced and soon they were on their way out of the House to protest against the Government's refusal to have a discussion on the subject.

Earlier, opposing the adjournment motion sought to be moved on the subject, the Minister told the House that the Government had awarded 11 contractors the repairs estimated at Rs. 22 lakh in one reach and another six contractors for those put at Rs. 43.6 lakh in another reach. He had announced completion of repairs in 10 days some weeks ago, but could not keep his word on account of certain technical and procedural bottlenecks. The effort now would be to get the work completed at the earliest, he added.

Mr. Kuruvilla said the Government had got the clearance from World Bank for floating fresh tenders to carry out the construction work that remains to be done after Pati Bel of Malaysia had backed out from the project following dispute over payments.

Mr. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan alleged that the Government was working hand in glove with the Malaysian firm and had not withdrawn the mobilisation advance guarantee or performance guarantee given to the company. It had also permitted the company to take all its equipment out of the State.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said it was doubtful whether the Minister had really understood the gravity of the situation. The work on the project had not progressed by even 1 per cent even 10 months after the present Government assumed office.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page