Contractor in Kerala receives security deposit after 9-year delay

Kasaragod: A contractor has finally received the security deposit for a construction work completed nine years ago. B. I. Aboobacker Siddique, who repaired a pond under Mogral Puthur panchayat, was given back his deposit of Rs 1 lakh from the Public Works Department, after a lengthy delay. This resolution came following instructions from Human Rights Commission Judicial Member K. Baijunath, the Superintending Engineer of the Minor Irrigation Department.

The repair work was finished on June 15, 2015. Since then, Siddique has been repeatedly visiting the Kozhikode Minor Irrigation Department Superintending Engineer's office to reclaim the deposit.

The Commission had asked the Minor Irrigation Superintending Engineer to report on the situation. According to the report, the Irrigation Department was instructed to conduct a thorough inspection of the pond, as there were complaints about irregularities in the renovation. However, the inspection could only occur when the water level dropped, and draining the pond for inspection would cost approximately Rs 1.5 lakh. Additionally, the report indicated that the security deposit could not be returned until a decision was made in the ongoing vigilance case.

The Commission criticised this position, calling it unreasonable and unacceptable. They emphasised that legal procedures should be respected and directed that the security deposit be returned to the contractor. As a result, Aboobacker has finally received the money he was owed.