THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Underlining the LDF Government’s zero tolerance towards corruption, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said a section of PWD officers was so greedy they were unable to survive on the salary provided to them by the government. Pinarayi was inaugurating the second Engineers’ Congress organised by the Public Works Department. Pointing out that some officers were hand in glove with contractors, Pinarayi said the government needs only those officers who are able to survive on their salary. The Chief Minister urged officers to change the mindset of the public towards the Works Department. He cited inefficiency as the reason why many projects could not be completed in a time-bound manner.
Though funds are made available by the government and NABARD, the department could not utilise it effectively, he noted.As a result of non-utilisation of funds, many important road works in the state are facing inordinate delay, Pinarayi said. While acknowledging that many officers were working sincerely, Pinaryi warned of stern action against the errant officers.
Works Minister G Sudhakaran said the criteria for promotion and transfer should change. Efficiency and excellence should be the criteria for promotion of engineers, he noted.Sudhakaran also warned that the government would blacklist those contractors who were delaying the ongoing Sabarimala road development work by citing flimsy excuses.Cooperation Minister Kadakampally Surendran, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Subrata Biswas, KSTP project director Ajit Patil, PWD Chief Engineer (Roads and Bridges) M N Jeevaraj, Chief Engineer (NH) K P Prabhakaran and Chief Architect P S Rajeev were among those who spoke.