Jalanidhi Phase II lands in controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The second-phase of the Jalanidhi project, implemented by the Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KRWSA), has set rolling and already got clouded by a spate of controversies. It all started when the Jalanidhi office issued a notification on July 7 inviting application from the interested candidates for appointment to 18 posts on deputation or contract basis.The notification, issued by Jalanidhi executive director N Prasanth, did not go down well with the Water Resources Department, which has put it on hold, citing ‘procedural lapses’.“It is true that the governing body of Jalanidhi had given the approval for filling up the posts for the second-phase of Jalanidhi project. But it didn’t happen the way it should have been. The State Government should have been informed prior to notifying the same. Since that didn’t happen, it has been put on hold,” a source with the Department said. When contacted, Water Resources Principal Secretary V J Kurian said the file has been forwarded to the Finance Department and once it is cleared, the posts will be filled.Meanwhile, an official with the Jalanidhi office said that unnecessary problems were being created by those employees whose service was terminated on completion of Jalanidhi Phase I. “Their contract was terminated prior to issuing this notification and they want to cling on to this project,” he said.These terminated employees have approached higher ups seeking protection. And their argument is that though, as per rule, their termination stands valid,  having successfully carried out their duties in the Phase I, they would be better than a bunch of fresh hands.“Our experience counts and when we approached the Executive Director seeking protection, he ensured all help. We were also told that we would be given priority in Phase-II. But, after that the notification inviting applications was issued in a hurry,” said a representative of the contract employees’ association.Amidst all these, enough hue and cry was raised against the Executive Director for purchasing a new car, allegedly, spending several lakhs. “It is true that a new car has been bought, but that has been done only after getting the consent of the governing council. Also, the old vehicle was auctioned,” said a Jalanidhi official.The Jalanidhi Phase-II, which would have an appraisal meeting in the coming weeks, is being implemented at a total cost of Rs 1,000 crore.