Nothing to hide: Durai Murugan

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 14. The PWD Minister, Mr. Durai Murugan, said today that he was prepared to face any forum, including the Court on the allegations of irregularities in the award of PWD contracts levelled by the leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. Balakrishnan.

There was nothing to hide as the present government was transparent and awarding contracts strictly in conformity with rules and regulations, he said addressing a press conference here.

Raising of the issue by Mr. Balakrishnan before the media even after the Speaker's ruling in the Assembly on Wednesday that there was no iota of evidence to back the former's charges of irregularities was not consistent with the traditions of the House, he said.

The Minister said he could understand the pique of Mr. Balakrishnan for having rejected the latter's recommendation for awarding the contract work to desilt a canal in Ramanathapuram to a `benami' for a major concern.

The tender quoted by the individual was 32 per cent more than the total value of the contract. Was it recommendatory in nature or something else? he wondered.

He said the allegation of awarding contract works on nomination basis had no substance as the `open tender system' was being scrupulously followed with the exception of repair works relating to the Secretariat, Assembly, MLA hostel, Raj Bhavan in Chennai and Ootacamund etc. allowed as per the rules now in force.A look at the documents placed by Mr. Balakrishnan in support of his allegations revealed a `conflicting and confusing' picture, the Minister said adding that mediamen were welcome to peruse the same to arrive at their own conclusions.

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Section  : Regional
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