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Kerala Kaumudi Online
Friday, 29 March 2024 8.08 PM IST

Water purifier in schools: 42 lakhs scam in Thiruvananthapuram corporation

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CAG has found a 41.85 lakh rupees scam in the scheme developed by Thiruvananthapuram Corporation through Kudumbashree District Mission to install 467 water purifiers in 135 schools in the city limits. At Rs 21,400 per unit, the total cost was estimated at Rs 99.94 lakh. 465 units were purchased and installed in 148 schools. It was found that Rs. 9000 was scammed for each of these.


In a report submitted to the government last month, the Principal Accountant General recommended an inquiry.

The Kudumbashree District Mission project has been entrusted to the associated organization, Namna Yuvashree Group. In March 2022, the Corporation sanctioned Rs 99.51 lakh to the District Mission for purchasing 465 units of Purella Clever reverse osmosis water purifiers and installing them in 148 schools. However, the CAG found that Nanma Yuvasree Group purchased purifiers from Med Corp Equipments in Kottayam for Rs 12,400 per unit and signed a fake invoice of Rs 21,400 to embezzle the funds.

A three-member committee appointed by the Kudumbashree Mission Executive Officer found irregularities in the purchase after finding irregularities in the preliminary audit. The government ordered an inquiry and submitted a report to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Local Government Department. Updates are that there is no progress in the investigation.


Proven charges:

1. Violation of store purchase manual and government orders. The Nanma group was arbitrarily assigned the task without inviting applications from other Kudumbashree units.
2. An agreement was entered into with Namna Group in November 2020. 100 units were purchased under the August purchase order with Med Corp. Assurance that they will get the contract received earlier itself.
3. No original bills or vouchers on file.
4. It is understood from the GST invoice that Nanma Group purchased Rs.12,400 per unit from Med Corp. The same water purifier was available on the e-market for Rs 7,999 per unit. The contract was awarded for Rs 21,400 per district mission unit. Other than Rs 12,400; Rs 9,000 was scammed.
5. Discrepancy in vouchers showing Rs.1012 and Rs.1982 for the purchase of electrical and plumbing materials.
6. Med Corp showed GST paid at Rs.8,79,560. 1,83,196 was found to have been paid.

4.28 lakh was wasted

A two-year service warranty for the water purifier was part of the contract. The audit team inspected 14 schools and found that out of 45 units, six were not installed and 20 were faulty. Agency never provided any service.

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TAGS: SCAM, KUDUMBASHREE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
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