THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Ganesh Kumar becoming the transport minister, the approval of the final agreement between the Department of Motor Vehicles and Keltron for the controversial AI camera project may be speeded up.

Former Minister Antony Raju delayed the implementation of the agreement. It was to avoid the allegations of corruption, which reached even the Chief Minister's relative, coming against him. He was of the position that the contract could be implemented after the judgment of the case in the High Court. The final verdict has not come.

On November 18, the High Court granted permission to pay the first instalment of Rs 11.79 crore to Keltron, but the amount has not been handed over. Keltron sent a letter saying it was time for the second instalment, but the file has not been processed.

726 cameras were installed across the state on June 5. If the camera does not work, the revenue from fines will decrease. The draft contract stipulates that if the camera is not repaired within a certain number of days, Rs.1,000 per day will be deducted from the amount due to Keltron. This is not approved by Keltron. This may be changed after further discussion.

Didn't get the money, challan reduced

• As Keltron did not get money to operate the cameras, the process of sending challans for vehicle violations has come to a standstill. So far 34 lakh Challans have been generated. 16 lakh Challans were sent by post.
• Keltron incurs a monthly cost of Rs 1 crore for project implementation
• 20 rupees to send a challan.
• Challans were sent till mid-November
• Due to lack of money, the sending of challan was reduced
• Earlier, 33,000 challans used to be sent. Now it is less than 10,000
• Electricity, camera connectivity and internet charges are paid from Keltron Fund.
• Salary of 145 contract employees should also be paid.