KWA: Several graft charges ‘sinking’

The investigations into allegations of corruption ordered by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) seem to sink into oblivion. Though several complaints were raised against an official in the KWA, no action has been taken against him. According to the complainants, C V Mathew, an assistant executive engineer of Sewerage section, Pattoor Division, under KWA, had demanded bribes to sanction works.

 A year ago, Water Resources Minister P J Joseph had directed the KWA Managing Director to conduct an inquiry through the Executive Engineer, Vigilance. This was based on the complaint filed by one Bahuleya Panicker, a contractor with the KWA. In the complaint, he had alleged that Mathew had demanded a bribe of Rs 30,000 for checking his works. After Panicker refused to give the amount, Mathew allegedly withheld his measurement book.

 Panicker has now approached the Vigilance director demanding a fresh inquiry into his case.

In another complaint filed by one Ambalamukku-based Rajashekharan, Mathew had demanded Rs one lakh as bribe to sanction sewerage connection to his flat. The Vigilance cell had conducted an inquiry into the issue in June this year.

According to KWA MD Ashok Kumar Singh, there was no evidence to prove that Mathew was guilty.

Serious allegations are made by Rajashekharan in his complaint against Mathew. In the complaint, he stated that Mathew used to get huge amounts as bribe for sanctioning sewerage connections for flats. The official has allegedly flouted KWA’s circular stipulating sewerage treatment system for every flat. “Construction of sewerage treatment system will cost a minimum Rs 10 lakh. If the flat owner is ready to shell out 1/10th of the amount as bribe, then he will get sewerage connection without treatment system,” said Rajashekharan in his complaint.

Rajashekharan’s flat was denied sewerage connection citing that the sewerage line in Ambalamukku has a capacity below 150 mm. However, in his complaint Rajashekharan said that three flats, where the capacity of the sewerage line was less than 150 mm, were given sewerage connections. Rajashekharan alleged that Mathew received bribe to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh per flat for sanctioning sewerage connection.