Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Chief Secretary’s decision to quit prompts walkout

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Secretary Lizzie Jacob’s decision to seek voluntary retirement on being dragged into the controversy over the Ponmudi land deal sparked off an Opposition walkout from the Assembly during zero hour on Friday followed by a day-long sit-in by four UDF members in the Assembly foyer for the second day running to press a probe into the land deal.

The Opposition accused the Government of having tried to make officials, including the Chief Secretary, scapegoats in order to shield Ministers who were involved in the land deal.

They took particular exception to Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s remark that the Chief Secretary had kept him in the dark about the construction of a helipad for the anticipated VVIP visit and alleged that if there was a failure, it was on the part of the Chief Minister and the Ministers.

The Opposition deputed a new four-member MLAs’ team comprising Babu Prasad (Congress), M. Jayaraj (KC-M), M. Ummer (IUML) and K.B. Ganesh Kumar (KC-B) for the sit-in.

Earlier, opposing the notice for an adjournment motion given by K. Sudhakaran (Congress) and others, the Chief Minister said he had always held the Chief Secretary in high regard as an efficient officer, but had never hesitated to point out her failures.

She had also taken such criticism in a cordial manner. The Government had, in general, taken this stand with regard to all its officials and employees, including IAS officers. The Opposition, he said, was trying to blow the issue out of proportion for political gain.

The Government would be only ready to accept constructive criticism from the Opposition, but would not give credence to ill-motivated attacks, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

The Chief Minister also accused the Opposition of having tried over the last several days to divert the focus of the Assembly from the legislative business before it by raising Kiliroor ‘VIP’ issue and other similar issues.

This, he said, was nothing but part of a bid by the Opposition to make it appear that there was administrative failure under this Government after their having allowed big shots to plunder the State..

Before leading the Opposition members out of the House, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said there was no basis for the Chief Minister’s criticism of the Chief Secretary as the primary responsibility of keeping the Chief Minister posted about anticipated VVIP visit lay with the General Administration Department, which coordinated VVIP visits and which was under his control.

The file relating to VVIP visit had originated in the General Administration Department, which had done all the coordination with the other departments.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

KSEB signs pact with NTPC
Contractors’ plea
Nod for Utsav 2007
Chief Secretary’s decision to quit prompts walkout
Isaac optimistic about outcome of lottery cases
Forest Department did not give clearance for helipad: Minister
House opposed to limit on BPL list
Viswom should quit: KPCC
UDF to finalise stir plan
Privilege notice
Decision to grant autonomy for 15 colleges soon, says Minister
State seeks protection for agricultural products
Events to mark Ozone Day
Hindi fortnight
Postponed
Beaches to get new look
Knowledge integration will aid progress of science: ISRO chief
90 buses operating extra services
‘Open day’ put off
Man killed in accident
In Thiruvananthapuram Today

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu