The report of comptroller and auditor general (CAG) tabled in the assembly on Tuesday points out major irregularities in the implementation of solar power projects in ports offices and in the construction of headquarters for directorate of ports during the regime of Jacob Thomas as ports director.
TOI had in a series of articles exposed the irregularities as pointed out by the finance inspection wing and the accountant general with regards to the implementation of solar power project and the procedural and legal violations in construction of the ports headquarters at Valiyathura in the capital.
The CAG report said that the director did not obtain the mandatory building permit , violating the rule 4(2) of the Kerala Municipality Building Rules, 1999. Because of this the department became liable to pay an annual tax of Rs 2.4 lakh, which was three times the normal rate.
Though the Kerala PWD manual stipulates that while constructing a building, it should be ensured that it is constructed at a location where it is not exposed to heavy winds without protection and should have an advantageous neighbourhood, the director decided to construct it at a position within 30 metres of the high-tide line along the sea-shore, prone to heavy winds and saline atmosphere.
The ports department had accorded administrative sanction for Rs 35 lakh for installation of solar power system at four ports offices. Instead of utilizing the funds for the work specified, the director used it to set up an off-grid solar project of 20 KW for directorate through Sidco, without obtaining sanction.
The report also said that even after two years of awarding the work and spending Rs 82 lakh, 11 of the solar power systems at 14 ports offices are dysfunctional.
Meanwhile, Thomas held the government which posted him as ports director responsible for the irregularities as he was appointed to the post even though he did not know how to sail a ship.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
