THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has withdrawn the order to e-tender construction materials under the MGNREGA scheme, which was introduced to prevent corruption. With this, the contractors themselves are once again able to buy gravel, cement and steel bars. On the bill for cement, steel bars, etc. contractors show a much higher rate than the market price.

The e-tender was introduced after irregularities were found in a local fund audit. An order was issued on February 27 last year for block panchayats to purchase materials through e-tendering and give them to gram panchayats.

However, the order was subverted as the share of corruption was not available. The Kerala Grama Panchayat Association and various panchayat presidents complained that there is a delay in getting the materials. Following this, the e-tender was dropped.

It is alleged that there was a planned move to create a delay. As soon as the block panchayats started the tender process, efforts were made to stop it. There was pressure from various levels not to open the e-tender and move on to the next stage. After such a delay, it was propagated that the construction was delayed.

According to the law, gram panchayats are required to make 40 per cent of the construction work done by MGNREGA workers. It involves the construction of footpaths, culverts and small bridges.

Rs 650 for cement

• The contractors showed in the bill that the price of a sack of cement was Rs 650.
• When the e-tender was called, Malabar Cements offered to provide cement for Rs 400.
• The difference in one sack alone is Rs 250. This clearly shows the extent of the fraud

No supervision

1. Construction activities of MGNREGA project do not have the same supervision as in other departments
2. Therefore, it is not possible to know whether a certain amount of cement and steel wire are used.
3. All this will be decided by the contractors themselves. The bills submitted will be passed

Amount spent so far this financial year on construction works: Rs 110 crore

Amount spent in last financial year: Rs 428 crore