Rs 70-crore tender for Soudha dropped

The tenders were invited for taking up interior decoration worth Rs 45 crore and electrification work for Rs 25 crore. The tenders were invited about two weeks ago, sources said.

The PWD has now decided not to go ahead with the work until the Task Force on Quality Assessment headed by J Vishwanath submits its report.

Fresh tenders will be called based on the recommendation of the task force. Deccan Herald had recently reported how the estimated cost of Suvarna Soudha, which is coming up on the outskirts of Belgaum district, had risen from Rs 232 crore to Rs 370 crore, an escalation of Rs 138 crore.

The government had directed the task force to visit Belgaum and submit a status report on the project.

According to sources, some ministers in collusion with Kanaghavi, retired chief engineer, (communication and building), Dharwad zone, revised the estimates without bringing it before the Cabinet.

Kanaghavi was also the prime accused in the Bellary Nala scam. After an inquiry, the government had suspended 20 engineers from Water Resources department on charges of financial irregularities. However, no action had been initiated against Kanaghavi.

Meanwhile, PWD Principal Secretary Subhash Chandra Kuntia has left for Belgaum. He is scheduled to hold a review meeting with task force members, officials of the finance and PWD on Monday.