Cabinet seeks explanation from vigilance chief

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala cabinet today sought an explanation from Vigilance chief P. Upendra Verma for his controversial statement that the State Electricity Board had not handed over an important file on a case the Vigilance was enquiring into.

Briefing reporters after a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the cabinet also approved in principle, the report of the Home Secretary K.K. Vijayakumar, who made an inquiry into Verma's charge during a press conference.

"An explanation has been sought on the basis of the report", Chandy said. Chandy said that as per the report, the vigilance department had sought files pertaining to the particular case in 2003, which KSEB furnished. after that, the department had not written to the board asking for more files.

An officer from the department visited the KSEB office in December, but did not meet any top officials, Chandy said. Verma had said that enquiry into the deal between KSEB and Canada-based SNC Lavlin company during the previous LDF rule could not be completed as the relevant files were not given to the Vigilance department.

The contract for renovating three hydro-electric projects at Pallivasal, Chengulam and Panniyar was awarded to the Canadian firm when CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan was electricity minister. It was alleged that the contract was given at a rate much higher than international rates.