KOCHI: A resident of Chowara, where the Vizhinjam port project is being developed, has filed a petition before the Vizhinjam Commission questioning the continuation of K Mohandas as a member of the Commission.
Felix K Pappali, who represents residents of the Vizhinjam project place, filed the petition citing a blog and an open letter written by Mohandas, the former Union Shipping Secretary, in 2015 to then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy raising concerns on the manner in which the tender and proceedings were executed. The letter said the government did not follow proper procedures in the tender and did not make genuine efforts to get competitive offers for reducing the financial commitment to the exchequer.
In the backdrop of the letter by Mohandas, Felix said it was inappropriate for him to sit as a member of the Commission. “So, propriety demands Mohandas recuse himself as member of the Commission so that the latter continues its work without any hindrance or allegations from any quarters. He may take an appropriate decision on whether or not he should continue as member. It is prayed the commission does not proceed before he takes a decision,” the petition said. Justice C N Ramachandran Nair, who is heading the commission, assured Felix he would look into the petition and give an appropriate order soon.