Irregularities during the DMK’s earlier tenure at the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation have come under scrutiny, with officials pointing to additional works worth Rs 1.35 crore allegedly carried out without calling for tenders.
The issue relates to the “Chief Minister’s Library” complex in Ward 33 at Goundampalayam, constructed at a cost of Rs 3.36 crore. Reports say further development works worth Rs 85 lakh and a terrace-roof work on the second floor worth Rs 50 lakh were executed under the “advance work” route, without a tender process.
As per norms cited in the report, “advance work” is meant to be used only during emergencies such as floods or fire accidents, and not for routine construction-related works. The amounts for these additional works are said to be pending payment by the corporation.
In the meantime, the corporation has announced that bids can be submitted through e-tender for 40 works by 3 pm on the 22nd. The two works already executed at the library complex under “advance work” have now also been included in the tender call.
The report adds that contractors who undertook such works based on verbal instructions from officials are uncertain about recovering their expenses. It also notes that works cannot be taken up without approvals from engineering officials, and calls for departmental action and a wider inquiry to assess any financial loss and recover it to the government exchequer.
