Govt. for OECF project: Antony

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG. 23. The Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, has said that his Government was against abandoning the water project aided by the Japan Bank for International Corporation (formerly OECF).

Replying to questions from presspersons after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said the Government was prepared for any kind of inquiry including one by the Central Bureau of Investigation, if there had been irregularities in the selection of the consultants for the project.

Mr. Antony said the people of his home constituency, Cherthala, wanted water whatever be the cost. They were suffering from gastric diseases for want of pure drinking water. If the Japanese-aided project is dropped, there was little scope for taking up an alternative project immediately.

The Chief Minister denied that he had taken the initiative in reversing the decision to go in for retendering of the consultancy contract, under pressure from the AICC. Some newspapers were spreading false stories. "You cannot tarnish my image like that," he fumed.

Asked whether he was prepared to admit that the UDF criticism of the project, while in the Opposition, was wrong and apologise for the same, Mr. Antony said he had always said that the project was needed. He had even approached LDF Ministers for early execution of the project.

He said he had not seen the CBI report which spoke of `criminal misconduct' in the selection of the consultants. "I am not interested in the fight between the bidders. If there was irregularities that could be investigated."

The Government, he noted, had favoured any kind of inquiry in its affidavit filed before the High Court.

Asked about the Government failing to adhere to its announcements in favour of appointment of professionals with respect to appointment of chairman of the State Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and president of the Kerala Sport Council, the Chief Minister said that appointment of political personalities to such posts was not new. The CPI leader, Mr. C.K. Chandrappan, was the chairman of the KTDC during the LDF rule. "He was a good politician, but was not an expert in tourism." Changes to such practices would happen only when it is due, he said in reply to a question.

He said that an inquiry into the financial irregularities in the Regional Cancer Centre here should wait the conclusion of the inquiry into drug testing at the Centre.

He said that Endosulfan had been banned until further orders on the basis of recommendation of the people of Kasaragod district. An inquiry was on into complaints about pesticide poising at the cashew plantations there. The question of compensation would be decided after the report is received.

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Section  : Southern States
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