Thachankary expresses regret for birthday celebrations   

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17: Days after courting controversy by distributing cakes and sweets on his birthday in RTO offices in Kerala, Transport Commissioner Tominc J Thachankary today publicly expressed regret for his behaviour at a function attended by Transport minister A K Saseendran.

"I had distributed sweets with my money with good intentions. However, Transport Minister and the Chief Minister, who always wish for my good, indicated it was inappropriate and could have been avoided. Your actions will be misconstrued by society, they said.

"If what I have done is wrong, I express regret," Thachankary said at a function organised by the Motor vehicles department at Kozhikode this morning for creating awareness among school children. After the controversy erupted over the birthday celebrations in various Motor Vehicle department offices last Wednesday, the Transport minister had asked state Chief Secretary S M Vijayanand to examine if any circular had been issued by Thachankary, directing that birthday celebrations be held in all the RTO offices in the state.

Thachankary had cut cakes and distributed sweets at various functions in Kochi while elsewhere in the state Motor vehicles department staff celebrated his birthday by handing down cakes and ladoos earlier this month.

As the issue became a talking point, the official claimed he had spent money for the celebrations from his own pocket and hence there was no need to whip up any controversy. The 1984-batch IPS officer has always been dogged by controversies, ranging from allegedly amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income and making frequent trips abroad without seeking government's permission.

PTI