Port Blair, Apr 29: Mr. T.K. Chandrasekharan, Executive Engineer of APWD presently posted in Planning Division in the Chief Engineer’s office has been suspended w.e.f. 27 April 2012. An inquiry conducted by AC unit revealed that quotation for transportation of material from Port Blair to Mayabunder was issued during September 2009 in which the lowest tendered rate was around Rs. 800 per MT.
This tender was neither accepted nor rejected by Mr. T.K. Chandrasekharan while he was posted as Executive Engineer, NACD, Mayabunder. Instead he invited fresh quotation in March 2010 for the same work.
The tender was uploaded on the website only a week before the date of submission of bids. In the new tender process the lowest tendered rate was almost three times higher than the previous rate. The work was awarded to M/s HZ Shipping a shadow firm of HF Shipping, which was defaulter of APWD. Based on his prima facie misconduct of causing loss to the exchequer and showing favour to the supplier; a regular departmental enquiry has been ordered by the Lt. Governor and the engineer has been placed under suspension.
