MAPUSA
Pointing to serious lapses in the process of allotting the Kala Academy renovation work, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Wednesday demanded an inquiry in the matter and to stop payment until the probe was completed.
Sardesai, while raising the issue during the Question Hour, also warned if the government fails to take action then someone would complain to appropriate authorities for which somebody will possibly land behind bars.
He said the renovation work of Kala Academy, a building which has historic and architectural importance in the country, was allotted on nomination basis without issuing a tender.
He further said that the nomination was tabled before the Cabinet without mentioning the name of the company to whom the work was allotted.
He also pointed out that a one page work order was later issued to Techton Buildcons Pvt Ltd at a cost of whopping Rs 49 crore.
Indicating the speed in getting the work done, he said the work order was issued on July 21, 2021 and the acceptance also came on the same day.
“The entire process of allotting the Kala Academy renovation work violates the CPWD manual. Even if it is a specialised job, the work has to be tendered. It’s the money of the public exchequer. You have to follow codal formalities. CPWD is the bible when it comes to development,” Sardesai said.
Drawing a parallel between the Kala Academy work and the sensational Maharashtra Sadan scam, Fatorda MLA informed the House that the then Maharashtra PWD minister and NCP leader Chagan Bhujbal had to go to jail on a complaint filed by BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Kirit Somaya with the ACB.
“This is a similar case as that of Maharashtra Sadan scam. When the Kala Academy estimate was placed before the cabinet, nobody knew who the work was being allotted to. The name was not written there. It was passed by nomination,” Sardesai reiterated.
He said there should be an inquiry in the matter by a retired high court judge.
“I want CM to institute an inquiry. Till that time the finance department should stop payment to the company,” he said.
Countering the Fatroda MLA, Art and Culture Minister, Govind Gaude said the government has followed all the procedures while taking up the renovation work.
He said the estimate prepared was right from excavation to the finishing point and it was as per the GSR 2019 followed by the State government and not a one page order as mentioned by the MLA.
“The MLA should not misguide the people. We have given the job on nomination because it involved specialised work. We don’t want contractors to leave the work half way. The contractor will look after maintenance for five years and has also given guarantee on some works for next 20 years. Therefore we gave the work on nomination basis,” Gaude said.
“The procedure we have adopted is fair and there are no issues. There can be some administrative lapses,” he added.
