KOCHI: Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob has welcomed the decision by the Vigilance Department to carry out a quick verification in connection with the allegation of corruption charges in appointments to the District Consumer Forums. The decision was taken after allegations were raised by Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai.
Anoop Jacob in a statement on Thursday clarified that there were no irregularities in the appointments to the District Consumer Forums. “Only eligible persons were appointed. The Forum members were selected from a list of eligible candidates submitted to the government by a selection committee, conforming to the rules and formalities,” he claimed.
Welcoming the decision to carry out the quick verification, Anoop Jacob said that once the Vigilance probe concludes, the rumours of corruption would be proved false.Repeating his counter allegation that Balakrishna Pillai was venting personal grudge against him, the Minister stated that he had earlier turned down a nominee of the KC (B) leader, inviting his enmity.
“Balakrishna Pillai approached the Vigilance Department after a demand to appoint his nominee as district president of the Consumer Forum was rejected,” the statement said.