THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac on Monday refused the Opposition’s demand for a judicial inquiry into alleged financial lapses in the implementation of the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) and the Thiruvananthapuram City Road Improvement Project (TCRIP), his argument being that there was already a Vigilance inquiry in progress.
Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy, during a discussion on supplementary grants for PWD in the Assembly, demanded a judicial inquiry into the ``loss’’ of Rs 205 crore to the state exchequer in the implementation of the two projects.
After several minutes of fencing with statistics and counter- allegations - Isaac also challenged Chandy to prove LDF lapses - Chandy put forth the demand. But Isaac rejected it saying that the government had no intention for a judicial probe, following which the Opposition walked out, effectively ending the day’s business.
Isaac said that the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had been investigating the matter for the past four years.
It all started with Isaac blaming the previous UDF government for failing to implement both infrastructure development projects smoothly, and tying up the projects in disputes with the contractors. Chandy reversed the allegations and put the blame on the LDF Government for delaying the works.
The House approved the request for Rs 2,196.62 crore as supplementary grant for the PWD.
Earlier, there was a minor ruckus when the LDF MLAs objected to P J Joseph of the Kerala Congress - who had controversially crossed over to the UDF - rising up to speak on the request for supplementary grants.
P Jayarajan of the CPM pointed out that he had no right to speak since Joseph was part of the Cabinet which had approved the budget. Joseph spoke after order was restored, but did not oppose or approve the demand for the supplementary grant. Mons Joseph, who also spoke, said that it was the party which decided Joseph should resign. There was nothing morally wrong in it, he said.