Mangaluru: The Deputy Commissioner, A B Ibrahim, who had, in October 2014 declined approval for the Nirmiti Kendra to take up second phase of works valued at Rs. 98 lakhs, citing technical obstacles, has not denied the possibility of  the second phase of Town Hall renovation work being given to the Nirmiti Kendra in the interest of expeditious completion.  
The deputy commissioner speaking to Newskarnataka.com over the telephone, said that at a meeting held on June 23, the Mayor and elected representatives opined that the work should be expedited. As regards whether the Nirmiti Kendra  would be entrusted with the work, the DC told Newskarnataka.com, “the move depends on councillors’ decision.”

The former commissioner’s interim report, prior to her transfer, on the Town Hall renovation mess had concluded that in order to renovate the Town Hall, a fresh detailed blue print and estimation list has to be prepared. After getting a sanction from the competent authority a tender should be called for, to execute the works. Indeed, an ‘expression of interest’ had been called for, before Hephsiba was transferred to her new post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Vijaypura Zilla Panchayath

The DC however, When asked about whether a tender would be called for, said that, it all depends on the Corporators.  He said, “The priority, at present is to open the hall for the public use in quick time.” In other words he hinted that he would agree to handover works to Nirmiti Kendra, had the council decides to give it to Kendra.

A senior corporator, Harinath, seconded the idea of the Nirmithi Kendra taking up the work despite an earlier resolution in February 2015 against handing out work to the Nirmithi Kendra. “The council has rights to review its decision made in Feb, 2015 which passed resolution not to handover works to Kendra and it would be reviewed,” he added. According to a government order,  Nirmiti Kendra can take up works without calling any short tender. The council is likely to take a decision on the Town Hall work during its next meeting, on June 30, he added

The Mayor, Jacinta Alfred interestingly confirmed to Newskarnataka.com that council will decide to give away pending works to Kendra.
 

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