THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: AMRUT project in Kerala, affected by bad execution right from the beginning, is now dealing with unceremonious events like the chief secretary reportedly walking out of state high-powered steering committee (SHPSC) meetings and sudden resignation of the project manager and team leader of state mission management unit. Sources say that project manager Shajan S resigned after he had some differences with mission director and additional chief secretary (LSGD) over some decisions that violated existing guidelines. The former team leader had earlier communicated his dissent over relaxations granted to consultancy firms that were picked for preparation of DPR and the recent move to appoint a deputy mission director, violating norms and project guidelines. 

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It is also learnt that chief secretary Tom Jose also walked out of the committee meetings twice, openly expressing his displeasure over the conduct of affairs by the mission director. 

The series of unpleasant events are happening at a time when Kerala has already been warned of its slow-paced implementation of AMRUT projects by the Centre. At least five officials – associated with mission management units at city and state levels (handling various aspects like finance, technical and project monitoring) – had quit or were forced to quit after they had expressed dissent over certain decisions made by LSGD’s top official. 

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