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Government says Lok Ayukta verdict not right

Special Correspondent

Oommen Chandy says his Government had done everything possible to help complainants

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Stung by the Lok Ayukta's strictures over utilisation of tsunami relief funds, the Government has taken the stand that the Lok Ayukta verdict in the case filed by an old couple alleging non-payment of relief assistance to them is `not right.'

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Finance Minister Vakkom Purushothaman told a news conference here on Monday that the Government had done everything within its power and that the Lok Ayukta verdict was not right. Asked why the Government could not convince the Lok Ayukta, Mr. Chandy retorted: "How can we say everything openly?" Mr. Purushothaman chipped: "They can say anything about the Government, can we say even the truth?"

Giving a detailed explanation about the case in question and the general status of the rehabilitation work in progress in the tsunami-hit coastal villages, Mr. Chandy said the Government had released Rs.12.39 lakhs to the (Peethambaran-Maniamma) family that had approached the Lok Ayukta with their complaint. It had released Rs.10,000 as treatment assistance immediately after tsunami. He ordered payment of another Rs.10,000 to the family on April 6, the date on which a news report on the plight of the family appeared in a newspaper. The tahsildar, who had handed over the cheque, had also informed the family that all future treatment expenses would be met by the Government and that any future need should be communicated to the District Collector.

The Government, he said, had not received any memorandum after that. Even after the couple filed a case, the Government had deputed an officer to the family and enquired whether they needed any support, but was told that they had not incurred any additional expenses. The family had been sanctioned two houses, one had already been occupied and the second would be completed and handed over to the family by November. Would the District Collector have issued a statement relating all this, if these were not facts? the Chief Minister asked. He added that the Government apprised the Lok Ayukta about the all the facts of the case.

Asked about the allegation that the Government had barred holding of Lok Ayukta sittings in State guest houses, Mr. Chandy said it was an order issued in 1999 when the Nayanar Government was in office, though there might have been instances of exemptions having been granted in certain cases. He also hinted that the Government was forced to disallow Lok Ayukta sittings in guest houses when disturbances outside began to upset the Lok Ayukta.

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