Cheriyan lashes out at Antony

By Our Staff Reporter

THRISSUR, AUG. 24. The ousted Congress leader, Mr. Cheriyan Philip, today said the Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, who was his one-time mentor, was now under the cloud of suspicion in the controversial decision of the State Government to proceed with the Japanese-aided drinking water scheme.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Philip alleged it was Mr. Antony who took personal interest to give the contract to the Pacific Consultancy International (PCI) to implement the drinking water project with aid from the OECF of Japan. The decision to give the contract to PCI did not have the approval of the UDF or of the Ministers.

Mr. Philip, however, said he would not allege that Mr. Antony was corrupt. But he is surrounded by many corrupt persons. So he should come clean by disclosing whatever he knows about the various inquiries that have been conducted into the OECF-aided project, Mr. Philip said.

Mr. Philip was also critical of the decision of the Government to give NOC to all applicants for starting professional colleges. He said such decisions will breed corruption and erode the quality of professional education in the State.

Referring to the criticism that the Antony Government lacked speed, Mr. Philip said anyway the Antony Government had acted with over-speed in sanctioning the OECF-aided project and the NOC for professional colleges. On many other issues, the Government is moving at a snail's pace, he added.

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Section  : Southern States
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