Irregularities in laying roads: Corpn places assistant engineer under suspension

Coimbatore: Corporation commissioner M Prathap placed assistant engineer Jothi Vinayagam, who is under scanner for irregularities in laying roads, under suspension on the last day of his office on May 31.
The irregularities were found in projects implemented under the Tamil Nadu Road Infrastructure Fund (Turif) in the 2019-20 period. While an administrative sanction was given to the corporation to lay 17 roads in wards 38, 39, 40 and 44 at a cost of 1.82 crore, only nine roads were laid in the approved places.
TOI exposed the irregularities in a news article published on May 3. The corporation subsequently conducted an internal probe and recommended an independent inquiry by engineers from the municipal administration department.
Prathap told TOI that since an inquiry is pending against the assistant engineer, he cannot be allowed to retire. “Hence, he was placed under suspension. Appropriate action will be taken based on the probe report.”
He said three officials who were involved in the road-laying projects were served show-cause notices last month. tnn