Congress fast-bowling-World Cup Brazil projects-Reuters

Brazil's lower House of Congress approved a law to speed up public works projects for the World Cup 2014, with the aim of solving the delays that have plagued plans to build new stadiums and expand airports.

The Bill, which was passed late Wednesday and must still be approved by the Senate, would streamline Government bids for infrastructure projects in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Some of main works behind schedule, the Government had declared approval of the Bill a top priority and rejected opposition criticism that the new approach could nurture corruption.

"We have an emergency situation in the country, which is to complete the airports, stadiums and urban transport specially for the World Cup," said Jose Guimaraes, the author of the Bill to the Chamber of Deputies.

The Government has yet to reveal details of his proposal to expand the country's main airports, which are struggling to cope with the rapid growth of air traffic.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter in March, had criticized what he called attitude "day after tomorrow" of Brazil for the preparations of the World Cup, saying political infighting was delaying work mainly in Rio de Janeiro to host the final giant Maracana Stadium.

The vote on Wednesday is a small but welcome victory for the Government after weeks of political upheaval, during which the influential Chief of staff Dilma Rousseff President resigned for personal finance scandal

Under the new Bill the Government would hold a single invitation to tender for public works projects, a change from its current practice of auctioning the design and construction of the project separately.

Opposition lawmakers say contractors will have more flexibility to modify the project during construction, stripping the Government of the mechanisms of control to defend against graft.

Other provisions of the Bill could increase costs for taxpayers, says Antonio Carlos Mendes Thame, Deputy leader of the opposition PSDB party.

"We are giving the Government a blank cheque. .. we are opening a huge gap for corruption," said Thame.

Opposition members seek to amend the Bill in a vote expected at the end of the month, but is unlikely to come up with enough votes. The Bill passed the House on Wednesday by 279 votes to 76. (Report by Maria Carolina Marcello; Writing by Raymond Colitt; Editing by Anthony boadle)