Uralungal Labor Contract Society receives Rs 116 crore contract in universities; SAVE univ campaign cries foul

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Uralungal Labor Contract Society received the contract for the Rs 116 crore works in Kannur, Calicut, MG, Malayalam and Technical Universities. The panel awarded contracts to Uralungal without inviting tenders. The contracts are Kannur-42 crore, Calicut-30 crore, MG-1.5 crore, Malayalam- 1 crore, Technical-42 crore. Kerala University has hitherto not given a contract to Uralungal.

In response to MLA TV Ibrahim's question, Minister R. Bindu revealed this in the Assembly on Thursday.

Work including preparation of estimates is given to external contractors when most universities boast of having an engineering department headed by executive engineers. Construction and digitization of mark tabulation sheets were also given to Uralungal.

Keltron and CDIT took part in the tender for Biometric Punching Machine Upgradation and Digitization works at MG but later withdrew. Despite the rule that only 20% of the contract amount should be given in advance, the Kannur University Syndicate allowed 50 per cent advance to Uralungal. The audit department of the government pointed out this as illegal.

The SAVE University Campaign Committee has complained to the Governor and the Director of Vigilance about huge financial irregularities being committed by awarding the tender to the Uralungal Society for digitization works.