On March 18, Thomas Clery Infrastructures and Developers Pvt. Ltd (TCID), represented by its director Appu Thomas, issued a notice to the KBF for allegedly failing to pay Rs 77,59,277 for the work undertaken for the Kochi Biennale. The Foundation purportedly also owes Rs 45,75,315 to its vendors, who have also issued a notice to the foundation. 

Thomas confirmed to Mirror that TCID, including workers and vendors who worked on architectural works at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2018, “have been forced to take action because of breach of trust”. “Over the past few months, we have repeatedly tried to find a solution that is fair for both parties and have been consistently thwarted by the lack of response from the officials at KBF,” said Thomas, adding that the firm has earlier worked with KBF, and “even though there have always been delays with payment, issues have been worked out amicably”. Arguing that TCID has a proven track record as a trusted vendor for KBF, the “arrogance and mismanagement” has forced the firm to go public with this issue as they stand to lose their livelihood. 

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[Concerning cost escalations] in September 2018 that KBF representatives held a meeting with TCID. “During this meeting, we informed them that the cost of the Pavilion would be over Rs 1.5 crore, at which point they said it was expensive and requested us to consider an alternative yet simple design involving a bamboo structure. Though we were willing, Anita, who was closely involved in the original design, did not consent,” Thomas said. “Despite repeatedly reminding them of the importance of taking a decision expeditiously, they took their own time to get back,” said Thomas. 

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