Dues of pongala works yet to be cleared

Thiruvananthapuram: Authorities have started the preliminary discussions to review various works in connection with Attukal pongala festival, slated to be held in February next year. However, it is feared that the delay in releasing the fund for this year’s pongala works might derail the plans for next year.
Around Rs 3.05 crore works were done by departments including sewerage division and public health wing of KWA, irrigation, PWD and city corporation.

A member of Ambalathara labour contractor society said they have been waiting for Rs 4.5 lakh due for the works done in connection with Attukal pongala this March. “We were mostly engaged in installing temporary taps for water supply and showers. The bill was already cleared but we are yet to receive the amount,” he said.

The sewerage division has to get amount worth Rs 74 lakh and PH division Rs 12 lakh. Irrigation division has to get Rs 48 lakh and minor irrigation Rs 5 lakh. The corporation did works worth Rs 1.61 crore. The police department too have a pending bill worth Rs 3 lakh.

Sources said that the finance department allotted Rs 3.05 crore to the special treasury savings bank account of district collector at Kudappanakunnu sub treasury. However, as per a government order, the government took back money from all accounts which had above Rs 1 crore on the same day itself. The bills of the works done on March 2 were not ready by that time. However, now even after submitting the bills, the district collectorate did not receive the amount.