<h1>State awards Rs17,000 crore HAM road contracts amid election season, raising questions under election and procurement rules</h1> A state government has awarded three road-construction contracts along a major river on a hybrid annuity model (HAM) worth about Rs 17,000 crore, with tenders closed and letters of acceptance issued. Under HAM the public authority finances ~40% while private developers fund ~60% and receive annuity payments over a concession period, creating long-term payment obligations and performance-linked risks. Project awards, estimated costs, and planned inaugurations occur amid impending assembly elections and an electoral commission visit, raising potential scrutiny under election and procurement rules concerning timing of project rollouts and official acts during pre-election periods.