DG directed to probe award of highway contracts

Justice K Ravichandrabaabu who heard the plea moved mover by CP Senthil Kumar, a contractor, said, “The writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the Director General, Highways Department, to consider the petitioner’s representation dated August 26, 2017, and pass orders on the same on merits and in accordance with law, after hearing the petitioner and the two registered private contractors — M Pandithurai, proprietor of M/s Hari Waylines and M/s Rishi Enterprises — and other persons concerned against whom the petitioner has made allegations.” 

“The Director General shall complete the enquiry and pass final orders within eight weeks. It is open to all the parties to produce all the material documents before the Director General at the time of enquiry,” the judge added. 

The petitioner had contended that in the recent past, all the works covered in various tenders floated by the Tamil Nadu Highways Department were being awarded to certain contractors for obvious reasons, while genuine contractors like him were being ignored on flimsy grounds.