TWELFTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS (2008-2011)

NINETIETH REPORT

(Presented on 29th June, 2009)

SECRETARIAT OF THE KERALA LEGISLATURE 2009 TWELFTH KERALA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS (2008-2011)

NINETIETH REPORT

On

Action taken by Government on Recommendations Contained in the Seventy First Report of the Committee on Public Accounts (2004-2006)

569/2009. CONTENTS

Page Composition of the Committee .. v Introduction .. vii Report .. 1 COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS (2008-2011)

Chairman :

Shri Aryadan Muhammed

Members :

Shri C. T. Ahammed Ali ” Anathalavattom Anandan ” Babu Paul ” K. C. Joseph ” K. M. Mani ” A. C. Moideen ” M. Prakashan Master ” Ramachandran Kadannappally Smt. K. K. Shylaja Teacher Shri M. V. Sreyams Kumar

Legislature Secretariat :

Shri P. D. Rajan, Secretary Smt. V. Jayalekshmi Amma, Additional Secretary Shri Wilson V. John, Deputy Secretary Smt. A. Achamma, Under Secretary INTRODUCTION

I, the Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts, having been authorised by the Committee to present this Report on their behalf, present the Ninetieth Report on Action Taken by Government on the Recommendations contained in the Seventy First Report of the Committee on Public Accounts (2004-2006)

The Committee considered and finalised this Report at the meeting held on 10th June, 2009.

ARYADAN MUHAMMED, Thiruvananthapuram, Chairman, 29th June, 2009. Committee on Public Accounts. REPORT This Report deals with the action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in the Seventy First Report of the PAC (2004-06) The Seventy First Report of the PAC (2004-06) was presented to the House on 27th July 2004. The Report contained six recommendations, relating to Cultural Affairs Department. The Government were addressed on September 8, 2004 to furnish the statement of action taken on the recommendations contained in the Report and the final reply was received on 11-2-2008. The Committee examined the Statements at its meeting held on 22nd September 2008. The Committee decided not to pursue further action for the recommendations in the light of the replies furnished by Government. The recommendations and their replies are included in this Report. RECOMENDATIONS IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE COMMITTEE DOES NOT DESIRE TO PURSUE ACTION IN THE LIGHT OF THE REPLIES RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENT CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT Recommendation (Sl. No.1 Para No.10) 1.1 The Committee observes that the concept of has drastically changed and that the Zoos shall be animal friendly. Plenty of space and abundant water supply including water bodies are the prime requirement for a healthy atmosphere for the animals. As the existing in Thiruvananthapuram city lacks these facilities, an alternate location in the suburbs would be ideal for a model Zoo. Action Taken 1.2 Due to initial delay in commencing the works the implementation of master plan for modernisation of Thiruvananthapuram Zoo could not be completed within the original project period ie., 31 March 2003. The Project has progressed beyond 75% of the target and is continuing. Hitherto, open air enclosures have been constructed as envisaged in the master plan for most of the animals such as Monkeys, Bears, Lions, Tigers, , Hippopotamus, Elephant, Chimpanzees, Panther etc., to provide adequate space for the animals to move around in accordance with the modern concepts of Zoo management. Construction of new hospital, new entry-exit complex has also been over. Enclosure for reptiles and Otters are nearing completion.

569/2009. 2

Recommendation (Sl. No.2 Para No.11) 1.3 Regarding the shifting of the , the Committee was informed that a proposal to shift the Zoo at Puthur had been prepared and the Secretary (Tourism) had convened a meeting of officers of the concerned Departments to discuss the measures to expedite the works. Action Taken 1.4 The revised proposal in the new format was forwarded to the Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Thiruvananthapuram on 26-9-2005 for getting the forest clearance under the Forest Conservation Act 1980. Shri Jiji Thomason, IAS has been appointed as Special Officer for developing proposal for relocation and construction of the Thrissur Zoo, Puthur. Action is being taken for providing fund with the Finance Department for the compensation for afforestation and also Revenue Department is taking action for identifying the land for compensatory afforestation. Recommendation (Sl. No.3, Para No.12) 1.5 As the shifting of the Zoo at Thrissur from its present cramped campus is long pending, the Committee recommends that urgent measures should be taken to shift the Zoo to the proposed site at Puthur. Action Taken 1.6 Shri Jiji Thomason, IAS has been appointed as Special Officer for developing proposal for relocation and construction of the Thrissur Zoo, Puthur. Action is being taken for providing fund with the Finance Department for the compensation for afforestation and with Revenue Department for identifying the land for compensatory afforestation. Recommendation (Sl. No. 4 Para No.13) 1.7 The Committee understand that Rs. 44,000 was kept with Chamarajendra Zoological Garden for 15 years for a pair of tigers and that not even a claim for interest for the amount has been raised by the department. The Committee deplores the attitude of the department in the matter. The Committee also recommend that the tigers originally meant for Thrissur Zoo and now housed in Thiruvananthapuram Zoo should be shifted to the Thrissur Zoo soon after renovation/shifting. 3

Action Taken 1.8 An amount of Rs. 0.44. lakhs was kept with in 1986. But a pair of tigers was brought from Mysore Zoo in 12/2000 and housed in Thiruvananthapuram Zoo since the cages in Thrissur was not suited to house the tigers as per the norms of the . After renovation of the cages the pair of tigers have been shifted to Thrissur Zoo in 1-6-2004. Since Mysore Zoo has supplied a pair of tigers, the question of refund does not arise. Recommendation (Sl. No.5, Para No. 14) 1.9 The lake in the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo has become a stinking marsh as cleaning operations has not been carried out for a long period. The Committee understands that there is a proposal for cleaning the lake, but an O.P. before the Hon’ble High Court has hampered the proposed cleaning activities. The Committee recommends that immediate measures be taken for the speedy disposal of the O.P. and to start cleaning works. The Committee also recommends that the boating service in the lake, which was a major attraction to the visitors, may be resumed once the cleaning is completed. Action Taken 1.10 The cleaning work of the lake has been completed on 5-7-2004. Boating in the Zoo lake has been stopped as per the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority. Recommendation (Sl. No.6 Para No.15) 1.11 The Committee desired to be informed of the present stage of the R.R. proceedings initiated against the contractor who was paid excessive rate for the cattlefeed purchased for the Thrissur Zoo. Action Taken 1.12 The appeal filed by the Government is posted for hearing on 15-2-2008. The outcome of the case will be intimated to the Committee as and when the judgment is received.

ARYADAN MUHAMMED, Thiruvananthapuram, Chairman, 29th June, 2009. Committee on Public Accounts.