Thiruvananthapuram: The government has sanctioned Rs 50.71 crore for the construction of residential complex for IAS officers at Akkulam in the capital. This is in addition to the Rs 15.57 crore already sanctioned for the purpose. The government has sanctioned 2.30 acres for the project last month.
As per the order sanctioning the funds issued by the public works department (PWD), since there is no budgetary provision for the project in the ongoing financial year under the head from which funds have been granted, the government has instructed chief engineer PWD (buildings) to forward a proposal for additional authorization. The order issued by the PWD department has said that additional funds can be authorized in this case subject to the condition that the housing department should limit the expenditure under this demand.
The government has already constituted a committee of secretaries chaired by additional chief secretary (revenue) A Jayathilak to supervise and take relevant decisions for the construction of the residential complex.
The committee includes KSIDC managing director M G Rajamanickam as special officer (IAS residential complex), and also includes secretary (PWD), secretary (general administration), secretary (finance- resources), chief engineer (PWD- buildings), chief town planner and two other IAS officers with a background of civil engineering. The special officer will have the financial and administrative powers of a head of the department.
The committee has been entrusted with the task of selecting the architect, finalization of design — both interior and exterior, award the contract, monitor the construction and frame the rules for allotment of the residential space to the officers and its maintenance.
The revenue department had on February 5 issued an order allotting 2.30 acres in two separate plots for the project. The land has been allotted in two parcels — 206 cents near Akkulam close to the new Kazhakkoottam-Kovalam highway in the immediate outskirts of the capital city and 24 cents at Kowdiar in the heart of the city. It is learnt that close to 50 apartments along with ample facilities for social and recreational activities are being planned on the land.