Sabarimala scrap auction cancelled following Kerala Kaumudi report

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board has cancelled the auction of iron scrap materials at Sabarimala, which was allegedly set to cause losses of lakhs of rupees to the board. The metal items and scrap from building debris will now be handed over to Clean Kerala Company, a government-owned agency.

The Devaswom Board decided to cancel the auction following a report by Kerala Kaumudi alleging that officials and contractors had colluded in the process, causing losses of lakhs of rupees to the board.

The board decided to enter into an agreement with Clean Kerala Company, which functions under the Local Self-Government Department, to collect the iron scrap. The Travancore Devaswom Board said the decision was taken amid several complaints regarding the auction. The government had recently issued an order allowing Clean Kerala Company to collect metal waste.

Following the Kerala Kaumudi report, the Devaswom Board conducted an inquiry. A report submitted by the Chief Engineer pointed out irregularities in the auction. The bidders quoted unusually low amounts. Although quotations were invited and the auction was conducted, the bidders did not offer amounts significantly higher than the base price.

At Sannidhanam, the base price was fixed at Rs 15 lakh. However, the contractor who participated in the auction quoted only Rs 15.02 lakh, just Rs 2,000 above the base price. At Pamba, the base price was Rs 13 lakh, while the contractor quoted Rs 14 lakh.

E-tender rules bypassed

1. The board found that officials and contractors had allegedly colluded in the process. The auction was conducted by inviting quotations, bypassing the rule that an e-tender must be conducted for contracts worth more than Rs 5 lakh. Following this, the board meeting decided to cancel both contracts.
2. Devaswom Board president K. Jayakumar said Clean Kerala Company would take over all the scrap materials. The company will subsequently conduct an auction, and 70% of the revenue generated will be given to the Devaswom Board.