STOPPED: M.N.Vijaykumar (left), Managing Director of Mysore Lamps, outside the factory premises after being denied entry into the company premises, in Bangalore on Monday. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE: In a drama involving a senior IAS officer that unfolded on Monday morning, M.N. Vijaykumar, Managing Director of the State-owned The Mysore Lamp Works who had convened the meeting of the Board of Directors, was denied entry and turned away at the gate by the security personnel.

However, the top officials of the Industries and Commerce Department stated that Mr. Vijaykumar had not yet assumed charge of managing director of the company.

The Board of Directors meeting, scheduled at 11.45 a.m. by the managing director, did not take place as the directors did not turn up. Mr. Vijaykumar had threatened to conduct the board of directors meeting on the pavement if he was denied entry to the premises. Mr. Vijaykumar, who has been denied official vehicle and support staff, came in his personal vehicle to the company premises in Malleswaram.

After failing to conduct the scheduled meeting, he held discussions with the former and present employees at the gate on how to revive the company, which has remained closed since June 11, 2003. This is the second occasion on which the managing director had been denied entry into the premises, as security officials had stopped him at the gates on June 1 also.

Later, speaking to presspersons at the gate, Mr. Vijaykumar said that he wanted to revive the company keeping in mind the latest line of products, which were more energy efficient, cheaper and long lasting.

Probe

Mr. Vijaykumar said that he would seek a Lokayukta inquiry against Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industries) K.M. Shivakumar and the former Managing Director of The Mysore Lamp Works A.K. Somanna to find out losses incurred by the company during the last three and a half years.

He also revealed that a complaint had been registered with Yeshwanthpur police against the Chief Secretary for obstructing him to discharge his functions as the managing director.

However, officials in the Commerce and Industries Department said that Mr. Vijaykumar had not yet signed the transfer of charge and effectively the earlier managing director A.K. Somanna, who is also the Additional Director for Industries, was still holding charge. Besides, Mr. Vijaykumar was trying to enter the factory premises along with the former employees that was not authorised.

Mr. Shivakumar told The Hindu that Mr. Somanna had written to the department stating that Mr. Vijaykumar was attempting to enter the factory premises with the former employees and wanted to know who would be responsible if anything goes missing. "He has to go as a respectable officer and take charge," he added.

Further, Mr. Shivakumar said, "We will ask Mr. Somanna to give his remarks on the allegations made by Mr. Vijaykumar on the issue of losses pertaining to the company."

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