CM, colleagues remain tightlipped

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG. 27. The Chief Minister, Mr. A. K. Antony, and Ministers were tightlipped on Monday about the allegation that the Education Minister, Mr. Nalakath Soopy, had sought to manipulate the rank list of entrance examination for medical /engineering courses.

It has been reported, quoting sources in the Chief Minister's Office, that the Education Minister had asked the Secretary (Higher Education) and Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Mr. K. J. Alphons Kannamthanam, to alter the rank list allegedly to favour a candidate. This was after the Cabinet decided to shift him as Commissioner of Land Use Board and Director of State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre. Though Mr. Alphons told presspersons that a serious issue was behind his transfer, he did not give out the details.

The Chief Minister declined to comment on the incidents when presspersons asked him about the developments in Kochi. The Education Minister said that he would give his response after he had discussed the matter with the Chief Minister here on Tuesday. The Health Minister, Mr. P. Sankaran, also declined to be drawn into the subject at a press conference.

Meanwhile, Mr. Alphons has denied reports that he had refused to accept his new posting.

In a press release here, Mr. Alphons said he had handed over charge as Higher Education Secretary and Commissioner of Entrance Examinations this evening to Principal Secretary (Education), Mr. K. Mohandas.

``Even if the Government posts me as a village officer, I would join the post because the Government is the ultimate repository of wisdom; it knows best how to utilise officers,'' he said. Mr. Alphons said he had received the transfer order on Saturday evening. Immediately on receipt of the order, he had sent a representation to the Chief Secretary that it is inappropriate for him to be posted under a junior officer (Planning Secretary, Mr. S. Vijayanand).

``I had met the Chief Secretary personally and given him the representation. Yesterday was Sunday and therefore, I could not have handed over charge or taken charge. Today is the next working day. I could not have taken charge before 10 a.m. today. However, newspaper reports have appeared this morning that disciplinary action will be taken since I was not joining my new post.''

``I met the Chief Secretary this morning after reading the newspaper reports. The Chief Secretary informed him that he had never told the media that the Government would take action against me for not joining the new post.''

Mr. Alphons said that he had always reiterated the authority of the Government to transfer any officer to any post.

I have never refused to join any post in my 22 years of service. I will never do so. However, as an officer in Government, it is my legitimate right to point out discrepancies in a Government order and await for the Government instructions based on the representation. I am deeply pained that a big fuss is being made about nothing.''

Mr. Alphons would be taking charge of his new post on Tuesday.

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Section  : Southern States
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