TN govt seeks ECI relaxation for tender works

“Till April 18, the state administration comprising district administrations and local bodies were focused on conducting the polls, but now it must gear up for the peak summer situation,” a senior official told DT Next.

Due to increasing power demand and water shortage, departments like water supply board, Chennai metro water, electricity board and municipal administration are expected to be busy for the next two months.

“Usually during May and June, the tender process and repair works will gain momentum. However, issuing the work order now is getting delayed due to the model code of conduct. We have conveyed this to the election commission,” the official said.

According to chief electoral officer Satyabrata Sahoo, the issue has been brought to the notice of the ECI headquarters and the priority files related to the state issues are cleared. All the files during poll code should be cleared by the EC and the same is forwarded and cleared in a short span. The state had also made requests related to tender works and the request is under consideration, the CEO said.

Significantly, the AIADMK MLA and Deputy Speaker Pollachi Jayaraman had also submitted before the poll officials seeking model code of conduct exemption for projects related to drinking water provision.

Meanwhile, officials at the Secretariat confirmed that the long period of poll conduct for 73 days has affected the file movement in several departments. Though the crucial files are dealt, there is a delay in government activities for the past two months. “The clearing of files in departments like health, education, state highways, public works department, rural development and transport will gain pace immediately after the counting of votes,” sources said. However, the files related to administration and personnel department which deals with transfers and resignations are given priority as it is a routine process.