Vigilance asked the government to examine whether land acquisition problem raised by contractors was genuine
Picture for representational purpose only. (Photo: DC archives)
Hyderabad: The vigilance and enforcement department has asked the irrigation department to recover mobilisation advances worth '43.72 crore from Jalayagnam contractors as there was no progress in executing the works.
The money was lying with them since seven years due to the delay in land acquisition and forest clearance. As contractors are not liable to pay interest, it has lead to the blocking of government money.
The vigilance in its report said that mobilisation advances were paid for all works against valid bank guarantees and that it had been recovered with interest for around 20 works.
“The six works pertaining to the excavation of Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi main canal in Rayalaseema are not in progress due to land acquisition problems of both forest and non forest lands. The entire mobilisation amount is lying with contract agencies,” stated the report.
Contracting agencies from which the money has to be recovered include joint venture companies like APRCL-CRSSG, IVRCL-SEW-Prasad, Sabir Dam and Water Work Construction Company, UANRCL-CPPL Apex, Maytas-NCC and Progressive Construction Limited.
Vigilance has asked the government to examine whether the land acquisition problem raised by contractors was genuine in areas where work had commenced, but had stopped later. It also said that the agreement clauses for recovery of mobilsation advance had to be altered to prevent the blockage of government money in case of works not taken up.
Vigilance officials submitted the report after verifying the records pertaining to the works taken up under Jalyagnam in Chittoor district. Around 26 works have been verified and bills have been recovered in respect of 20 works and recovery is not affected in respect of six works.
( Source : dc )
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