Chennai: A day after shunting out Tambaram corporation commissioner S Balachandar over irregularities in two tenders — an Ashoka Pillar statue and a “Save Water” concept statue, together valued at ₹46 lakh — the anti-corruption NGO, Arappor Iyakkam questioned the govt’s claim that the issue was only a “procedural lapse”. It, instead, cited serious discrepancies in the govt’s narrative on how the work was conceived and executed.Welcoming the transfer of S Balachander out of the commissioner post, Arappor coordinator Jayaram Venkatesan said the govt’s explanation that the work had already been executed using CSR funds and that a subsequent tender for the same work constituted a procedural lapse raised several questions.As for the claim that the administrative approval was obtained at a council meeting on July 14, Arappor said no council meeting was held in July and that the meeting after June 11 was held only on Aug 30. It also sought details of the company that allegedly wrote to the corporation on July 24, a day after the tender notice was issued on July 23, offering to execute the work through CSR funds. It asked when the corporation approved the proposal.“Even if the approval was issued immediately on July 25, how could the company fabricate and install the Ashoka Pillar within three days and inaugurate it on July 29?” Arappor asked. It also questioned why the company had neither displayed its name around the structure nor publicised its CSR contribution.The organisation questioned why the tender floated on Aug 6 was described as a procedural lapse when it was cancelled only on Sept 15, that too after Arappor flagged it. Seeking verification of the CSR contribution, Arappor asked if a backdated company letter was inserted into records.A senior official, however, said Tambaram mayor K Vasanthakumari had approved the project through a resolution by circulation on July 14.
