THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has also started gathering information amid growing suspicions that crores of rupees were swindled in the installation of the AI cameras. The IB started collecting information as per the instructions of the central government. The Thiruvananthapuram unit of IB is collecting the documents of the deal.
IB can recommend an ED investigation in the black money case if it finds any financial irregularities. It may also lead to a CBI investigation as in the LIFE Mission case.
Meanwhile, the state government received a setback when a document came out yesterday stating that the contract to install the camera was for Rs 83.63 crore and not for Rs 232.25 crore. It was former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala who released the document.
SRIT, which got the contract from Keltron, has placed an order to sub-contractor Lightmaster to purchase things, including cameras, accessories and software, for Rs 75.33 crore. The amount became Rs 83.63 crores with an additional 8.3 crore rupees for civil works. Keltron had awarded a contract worth Rs 151.22 crore to SRIT for this.
The purchase order, worth Rs 75.33 crore, includes 175 three-megapixel and 500 five-megapixel AI cameras, 25 PTZ cameras for detecting no-parking, accessories and 18% GST. It also includes maintenance costs for 2 years.
As per the contract, Prasadio and Lightmaster should jointly implement the project. It was an officer of Keltron who signed this as a witness. Keltron had said that it knew nothing about the subcontracts. Lightmaster is the supplier of equipment. It was Prasadio that gave Rs 6 crore as a security deposit to Keltron by Prasadio. SRIT has a service charge of Rs 9 crores from the amount that will be paid by the government in 20 instalments over 5 years.
Keltron also violated an order which stated that those in charge of the project should not make purchases. Troyes of Technopark, which provides technical assistance, is also the one operating the KFON project. A private company is the one storing data, including people's pictures.
Another Rs 66 crore
There is another Rs 66 crore for setting up state and district control rooms, laptop purchase, the salary of 146 control room staff, connectivity and 4 electric cars for placing cameras.
675 AI cameras
On February 8, Minister Antony Raju said in the Legislative Assembly that 675 artificial intelligence cameras have been installed. A total of 726 cameras, including these 675 AI cameras. 14 control rooms were also set up.
Paying back
The government has to pay Keltron Rs 3.5 crore every three months for operating the cameras and Rs 8.5 crore for installing the cameras. The government will pay this from the money collected as fines for traffic violations.