The Tamil Nadu government has relieved Tambaram Corporation Commissioner S Balachandar of all duties and placed him under compulsory wait after a preliminary enquiry found irregularities in the awarding of contracts for civic projects in the city.
The action followed a complaint filed by anti-corruption NGO Arapोर Iyakkam alleging irregularities in the awarding of contracts. An official press release issued on Monday said the preliminary enquiry was conducted by the Additional Chief Secretary of the State.
According to the release, the projects under scrutiny included city beautification work, a water-saving project and the setting up of a pillar. The projects were funded by a private company and did not involve public funds, the government said.
Despite the absence of public funding in the two projects, the enquiry found irregularities in the process of calling tenders for the work. The State government also suspended the zonal executive engineer in connection with the matter.
The government has assigned Avadi Corporation Commissioner R Saranya the full responsibilities of the Tambaram Corporation Commissioner. The arrangement places the administration of the municipal corporation under an officer who is already serving as the commissioner of another corporation.
The action highlights the administrative scrutiny that can apply to municipal works even when projects are financed by private entities. Tendering procedures remain central to the implementation of civic works because they determine how agencies invite, evaluate and assign contracts.
The official release did not disclose the estimated value of the projects, the companies involved, the specific tender conditions allegedly breached or the dates on which the contracts were called and awarded. It also did not state whether the projects had been completed or whether any work would be affected by the administrative action.
A detailed investigation has now been ordered into the issue. The government said that all those found guilty of irregularities would be dealt with. The investigation will determine individual responsibility and establish whether further administrative or legal action is required.
