THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Putting the Pinarayi Government on the backfoot, Vigilance Director Jacob Thomas on Tuesday chose to step down citing personal reasons. The unexpected move comes a few days after corruption allegations were levelled against him during his previous stint as the Ports Director.
Jacob Thomas handed over the letter, requesting the government to move him out of the post, to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Nalini Netto. The letter would be given to the Chief Minister and the government is expected to take a final call on Wednesday. “I received the letter at noon. Jacob Thomas requested to move himself out of the post due to personal reasons. I have given the letter to the department for further processing. The final call will be taken by the government,” Nalini Netto told Express.
Thomas’ decision will put the government on the defensive as it had brought him to rid various departments of corruption. The appointment itself had kicked up a row as Thomas had taken a stance against K M Mani and K Babu in the bar bribery case during the UDF Government’s tenure.
A week ago a section of the IAS officers had approached the Chief Minister seeking restrictions on Thomas. A couple of days ago, corruption allegations had surfaced against Thomas. As per reports, the Kerala Public Expenditure and Review Committee (KPERC) found irregularities in the purchase of solar panels to be installed at different offices in the state causing a loss of `52 lakh to the state exchequer. On March 9, the report made by the inspection wing of the Finance Department pointed out that 15 solar panels that he had purchased to be installed at the offices were dysfunctional.
Thomas had denied the allegations on Monday saying that he was being targeted by vested interests. He stated that he had tried to revive the ailing Ports Department which did not even have a main office at Valiyathura.