Jacob Thomas' next is study on losses caused by projects

Kozhikode: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) director Jacob Thomas has directed its research wing to conduct a study on the crores of public money lost on various government projects. While there were many glowing examples of good governance and best practices, there were also black sheep creating losses for the exchequer, he said during a media seminar in memory of journalist Jibin here on Thursday.

He also plans a study on the best practices and good governance early next month. “Punalur Taluk Hospital is the best hospital in the state where each and every patient is treated like a king. There are many such examples. We will select such institutions and conduct exhibitions at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode in February,” he said.

“While visiting many places, I have realised that many projects are not serving the purpose despite a huge amount of money spent. Pazhassi Irrigation project in Kannur designed for irrigating the farmland is in an idle state. One can see even a six feet tall tree grown in the canal. Similar is the condition of the housing project at Ponnani where Rs 6.4 crore was spent on 120 houses in which nobody is staying. Pulpally irrigation project and hospitals in Kattappana and Nedumangad also come under this category.” The research wing will compile a list of such projects and submit a report by early next year. He also referred to a private hospital in Kannur which colluded with insurance firm for not giving the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) benefits to the patients causing a loss of Rs 66 lakh for the government.