Kottayam: Amidst the severe financial crisis, the state government has reportedly sanctioned Rs 85 lakhs for the renovation of the Kottayam Collector’s bungalow. The finance department has allocated the amount under the upgrade/construction of the smart revenue offices project. Kottayam district Nirmithi Kendra has taken up the role of the executing agency to carry out the work.

The Nirmithi Kendra has been given this responsibility by excluding the Public Works Department (PWD) which usually takes up such activities. The order of the revenue department states that this change was made as per the Collector’s request. The revenue department on September 8 issued an order naming the PWD as the implementing agency for the bungalow renovation project.

However, on November 15, Collector V. Vigneshwari sent a letter to Revenue Minister K. Rajan requesting that the renovation be given to Nirmithi Kendra. As per this request, Minister Rajan removed PWD from the responsibility. Following this, an order dated December 1 named the Nirmithi Kendra as the executing agency.

It is reported that Minister Mohammed Riyas is unhappy about the actions of the Collector as the move hints at a lack of faith in the PWD department. 

Meanwhile, the money allocated for this renovation equals the cost of constructing 21 houses under the Life Mission project. Although Rs 717 crore has been allocated for the Life Mission project, only 3 percent of this has been sanctioned for construction so far.