The packaged purified drinking water plant currently being built at Malankara in Idukki, which had invited criticism for being set up without conducting proper studies, has landed in a fresh controversy.
The Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (KIIDC) has placed orders for supply of water tanks for the plant even before the company board approved the tender. Moreover, the KIIDC, which comes under the Irrigation department, is also being lambasted for inviting “piecemeal tenders” for various works as part of plant construction.
The tanks were supplied and the work on their installation was started even before the KIIDC board approved the tender.
The agenda note of the 29th Board meeting, which is with Express, says: “As the work of installation of RO plant is nearing completion, there is immediate requirement for installation of storage tanks. Hence orders were already place with Carris Pipes and Tubes Private Ltd for supply of tanks, in anticipation of approval from the Board.”
KIIDC Managing Director Anil Kumar said there was nothing wrong in placing orders before obtaining the board’s approval.