Cong demands Vigilance probe into 'housing scam'

Kozhikode, Jun 8 (UNI) The Congress in Kerala today demanded a vigilance probe into the alleged corruption in a Housing Board project during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government in the state.

Auditors Ben and Company had reported misappropriation of funds to the tune Rs 433 crore in the Mythri Group House Project when Kerala Congress (J) Leader P J Joseph was the Housing Minister, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President Ramesh Chennithala told reporters here.

He said the Public Accounts Committee headed by Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishan, now the State Home Minister and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had also found serious irregularities in the scheme.

The Housing Board, after going through all the suggestions, had sent a note seeking a probe to then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who could not take appropriate action because of the Election Commission's Model Code of Conduct coming in force, he said.

''There is something suspicious'' in the statement of Mr Joseph, now the PWD Minister, who said there was no need for a probe into the case as the funds were used for official purpose,'' Mr Chennithala said.

Mr Joseph had said he was prepared to face any investigation in the issue.

The Congress leader said people expected early action by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, a crusader against many corruption issues, by ordering a Vigilance probe into the huge loss caused to the state exchequer.

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