The PWD Rest House in Kollam. Representational imageThiruvananthapuram: The State government has put an end to the practice of providing rent-free accommodation in rest houses of the Public Works Department (PWD) to the sleuths of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Apart from withdrawing all orders issued by the previous UDF government offering free accommodation to CBI personnel on duty, the PWD has also directed managers of the rest houses to take necessary steps to realize the rent due from the agency with effect from August 14, 2014.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by the PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran last month, it is learnt.
Currently, several teams of CBI officials who are involved in the investigation of cases pertaining to political murders and corruption are being accommodated in PWD rest houses in different parts of the State. Now, they will have to pay rent to extend their stay.
Through a government order issued in August 2014, the UDF government had made it mandatory to provide basic facilities to CBI teams arriving in the State to take over cases from the local police. The PWD superintending and executive engineers were directed to ensure rent-free accommodation to investigating officers in PWD rest houses in their jurisdiction.
The order was issued to facilitate investigation, which requires the officials to camp in the area where the crime occurred. Inadequate security at private buildings was also cited as a reason then.
Though the order was to allow free accommodation for a period of six months, the stay could be extended if the investigation continued.
It was at the camp offices set up at rest houses where the officials used to record statements of witnesses and suspects.
It is learnt that the shortage of rooms at rest houses forced the LDF government to take the decision. The officials in charge of rest houses are also directed to ensure strict compliance of the order and non-adherence of the order will be viewed seriously, it said.
Currently, the CBI is responsible for the inquiry into Ariyil Shukoor murder case, the alleged corruption in the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation, Kadakampally land scam, and Payyoli Manoj murder case, among others.
