Govt removes PwC from e-mobility project, cancels extension of Sprinklr contract

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has ousted PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) from the consultancy contract of the e-mobility project.

In the explanation on this matter, the government revealed that the action was taken against the company as they did not submit the feasibility study report on time. Meanwhile, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that government ousted PwC observing the allegations raised by the opposition were right.

Under the e-mobility project, Kerala Automobile Limited in association with Switzerland based firm HESS planned to manufacture 3,000 e-buses. Another project was the construction of logistics ports in various districts.

Opposition alleged corruption in the government’s contract with HESS as a global tender was not invited for the project. The finance department also raised suspicion on the chief secretary for selecting HESS without conducting a feasibility study.

Sprinklr contract expires on Thursday

Government’s controversial contract with Sprinklr, related to COVID data collection, will expire on Thursday. The government has decided not to extend the contract anymore.

The contract was signed for 6 months from March 26 or until the diseases comes under control (whichever comes first).

The purchase order to collect the data of COVID patients was given to Sprinklr on April 2. As per the contract, if both parties are interested, the contract can be renewed after expiry.

Signing the contract, Sprinklr also declared that the collected data will not be used for any secondary purpose and the government holds the sole responsibility and right over the data.

Once the contract expires, all the data will be handed over to the government and will be removed from Sprinklr’s records. Based on this agreement, the company has filed an affidavit vowing that the collected data were deleted.

Preliminary probe by Vigilance into Life Mission controversy

The Kerala government has ordered a preliminary probe by Vigilance into the controversial Life Mission housing project. Kottayam Vigilance SP VG Vinod Kumar will lead the probe team.

Home secretary TK Jose ordered for a primary investigation into the controversy after the Chief Minister signed the file which grants permission for the probe.

If the investigation proves the allegation, a case will be registered and investigation will be initiated with the permission of the government.

The Vigilance probe will mainly focus on financial irregularities. A special investigation team will be formed for this purpose. It is reported that the government has directed to complete the investigation as soon as possible.

A controversy on Life Mission housing project made headlines after it was revealed that several people, including gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh, had received commission for the project. Enforcement Directorate had recorded the statement of UV Jose, CEO of Life Mission.