The Kerala Public Commissioner, while hearing a petition on alleged irregularities in the tender proceedings for the Miyawaki Model Afforestation Project undertaken by Kerala Tourism, issued an interim order allowing the project to continue.
A bench of Lokayukta Siriek Joseph and Deputy Public Commissioner recently issued the order while considering a petition filed by Kochi-based business consultant Jayakrishnan M., alleging that Kerala Tourism’s tendering process for the afforestation project was not fair. Wasn’t
‘Plants can die’
The counsel representing the consortium, which has been entrusted with the project, submitted a petition seeking permission to continue with the work, failing which the saplings grown in the nursery as part of the project may be destroyed. The Lokayukta ruled that the implementation of the project would not be stayed and related activities would be carried out till further orders.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on March 9. Respondents in the case include Rani George, former Secretary, Department of Tourism and current Principal Secretary, Department of Social Justice, and P. Bala Kiran, former Director of Tourism, Kerala.