Speaker G Karthikeyan and CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan - both former power ministers - have been held responsible for their reported roles in the SNC-Lavalin controversy in a book by former KSEB executive engineer K R Unnithan.
The book titled ‘Lavalin Idapaadum Azhinju Veena Poymughangalum’ was released here on Thursday. The book blames Pinarayi Vijayan for not putting up a fight against neo-liberal policies in the state’s power sector. Vijayan, in importing the machinery, did not ensure that the Malabar Cancer Centre received the promised sum, thereby causing a loss of Rs 89.32 crore to the state, the book says.
Unnithan alleges that Vijayan withheld facts from the Cabinet while preparing the note for approval of the project.
Karthikeyan, who was Power Minister before Vijayan, signed an agreement with the SNC Lavalin when the state did not require technical assistance from abroad for hydel projects, says the book.
Former Naxalite K Venu released the book by handing a copy to former KSIDC chairman K Vijayachandran.
Activist C R Neelakantan, political analyst Appukkuttan Vallikkunnu and RMP leader N Venu also spoke.