THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Former Minister for Public Works Ibrahim Kunj’s claim that advance payment made to kick start Palarivatom flyover constructions was an official decision, crumbles. Records show that the minister had lend his signature for advance payment to the contractors for the purpose. Sleuths in Vigilance will now grill him for details in their session with him on Saturday.
Vigilance had earlier served Ibrahim Kunj a notice seeking to talk matters at Vigilance Special Cell headquarters at Poojapura in Trivandrum, Saturday. With much on record, interrogation will enter its crucial stage with UDF circles even fraught with speculation over his likely arrest.
Vigilance officials have prepared with detailed questionnaire based on findings of the case. Vigilance SP Vinod Kumar will helm the interrogations. The office had recorded Ibrahim Kunj’s statements earlier. His answers on advance payment to contractors were not satisfactory warranting another round of questioning scheduled today.
If Ibrahim Kunj is evasive to evidence-backed questions, there is likelihood of an arrest. In such a scenario, given his legislative status, informing Speaker at Assembly would suffice. There is no other formality involved, Vigilance officials affirmed.
Money Transferred With Undue Haste
Records show how the Roads and Bridges Corporation (RBDCK) contractor sought funds via his application in clear violation of the norm that no advance payment is payable before works. In a rather unusual haste, the application received at RBDCK on 30 June, 2014 was signed the very next day on 1st July by the Under Secretary MB Lata Kumari after which, she forwarded the document to Additional Secretary and Deputy Secretary.
The document that came in with authorised signatures the very same day was sent to PWD Secretary To Surjit with a recommendatory note that payment may be made. The application with Surjit’s signature then shot straight to Ibrahim Kunj’s hands. On 10 July, the minister placed his signature officiating the release of advance funds to the contractors. With all formalities now done, on July 15th government publicised notification GO(MS)57/14PWD) for disbursement of Rs 8,25,59,768 in advance payment.
Interestingly, Ibrahim Kunj was Chairman to both RBDCK , which received the contractor’s application, and KRFB which made the actual disbursals.
