PANJIM: Two Cabinet Ministers Nilesh Cabral and Govind Gaude have started passing the buck over the controversy of the renovation of Kala Academy building with Cabral countering Gaude’s assertion that the controversial tender-less Kala Academy renovation contract was decided and awarded by the PWD.
Art and Culture Minister Gaude’s stated that the PWD had awarded the work on a nomination basis. Cabral countered Gaude’s claim that his dept had not suggested KA contractor.
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According to Cabral, the preliminary report suggests that PWD had not given any recommendations regarding contracting Kala Academy renovation work. But at the same time, he said that he will examine the related file initiate appropriate action against the PWD officials if found involved.
Cabral said that top-level officials of PWD, who were currently out of the State for training are expected to return by Friday after which he will seek related files from them, investigate and understand the issue and then make a proper statement.
“I will see the files, discuss the issue with Chief Minister and take appropriate action as per CM’s advises,” he said
The issue of renovation of the Kala Academy building at an estimated cost of Rs 49.57 crore awarded to Techton Builders, Mumbai on a nomination basis without following the due tendering process was raised in the Legislative Assembly in July this year.
On October 8, Gaude said that PWD had recommended the contractor to whom the Kala Academy work was awarded. “Art and Culture Department had not floated the tender nor undertaken this work. It is totally the prerogative of the PWD. You can ask this question to PWD,” he said.
Gaude had said that the Cabinet had decided that the PWD has to take a decision on whether to award the work by tendering process or on a nomination basis.
Meanwhile, the Vigilance Dept has asked to inquire into allegations of the CM his cabinet and the Finance Department were misled into accepting an expense of Rs 49.5 cr without even knowing the name of the agency and stated that if true then both PWD and Art and Culture Dept were complicit. (See box on page 1)
