THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Travancore Devaswom Board Estate Department has incurred a loss of Rs 5.15 crore on various construction works and contracts done by violating rules during 2011-17. The internal audit team found this and recommended a vigilance investigation. The report also alleges that four executive engineers on board were responsible for the loss.

Starting of work without contract confirmation, incomplete and illegal contracts, extension of due process and delay in completion of work were the faults discovered. Loss of 5.82 lakh due to non-imposition of statutory penalty on those who delay construction. The board has not taken a decision on the vigilance enquiry.

Findings

Single tender for 54 construction works from 2013 to 2017. Despite the re-tender system, the contract was negotiated.

Failure to comply with PWD manual provisions and no legal penalties for extension of contract.

The tender form price was increased by the government in 2015 but it was not implemented by the board on time.

Lakhs have been spent on providing dining tables and chairs to Devaswom restaurants but there is no record of the amount received in rent.

Due to insufficient staff in the internal audit department, only the audit till February 2017 has been completed. The government has been informed but no one has been appointed yet. Two Assistant Engineers and Clerks are required to conduct the maintenance audit. The audit is currently being conducted by a retired Special Officer from the Local Fund Board.