Trinamul cracks come to foreMinisters Ghosh,Deb in project spat

TT, Siliguri: A decision by NB development minister Rabindranath Ghosh to serve notices to around 18 construction firms which were assigned with projects by his department for poor quality of work has widened the rift among him and state tourism minister Gautam Deb.

The reason: Ghosh has categorically mentioned that none of the projects were assigned to these firms during his tenure but during the tenure of Deb, who is at present tourism minister of Bengal.

He was the NB development minister during the first five years of the Trinamul government.

"We have issued notices to 18 contractors for their poor quality of work in different projects worth Rs 45 crores taken up in different parts of north Bengal. These are mostly infrastructural works like construction of roads and bridges. They have been asked to submit explanations to us and also finish the projects at the earliest. If the explanations are not satisfactory, we will take stern steps against them and can even terminate their contracts," said Ghosh.

"None of these projects were taken up during my tenure of past one-and-half years. We will never compromise with the quality of work in any project of my department and have thus made the movement," he added.

The decision, with oblique reference Deb that the works were assigned during his tenure and that the firms, responsible for executing the projects did not adhere to the quality, has left the tourism minister in an awkward position.

He has denied commenting before the media on the issue but party insiders said Deb has expressed disappointment in closed quarters.

"That they maintain a margin with each other is a known fact. But this move has only widened the rift among the ministers, both of whom are also important leaders of our party in north Bengal. It is not something pleasant for us, specifically ahead of the rural polls," said a source in Trinamul.

The concerned projects, NBDD sources said, were taken up in the districts of North Dinajpur, Malda and in the surroundings of Siliguri.