Opposition stages walkout in Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram, June 19 : The Congress-led Opposition staged a walkout in the Kerala Assembly today demanding an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of a housing scheme for the poor by dropping Public Works Minister P J Joseph from the Cabinet.

Even though Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy welcomed the announcement of Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan for a probe into the alleged irregularities in the State Kerala State Housing Board (KSHB) from 1991 to 2006, he wanted the enquiry by suspending Mr Joseph from the Cabinet.

Raising the issue through notice for an adjournment motion, Mr Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (Cong) alleged that large scale irregularities, resulting a loss of Rs 420 crore to the KSHB, had taken place in the implementation of the 'Maithri Housing Project' meant for the poor while Mr Joseph was the Housing Minister in the previous Nayanar Government. He wanted a thorough probe into the irregularities by dropping Mr Joseph from the Cabinet.

Replying to the notice for the motion, Mr Joseph said over 2.8 lakh houses had been completed under the project and he was prepared to face any enquiry on its implementation. The Public Accounts Committee of the Assembly had only demanded a probe as it was not satisfied with the reply furnished by the KSHB, he said and asked why the previous Oommen Chandy government did not take action on the report even after getting it in January, 2003.

Chief Minister Achuthanandan said the government had nothing to hide on the issue and announced that it was prepared to order an inquiry by a panel of the State Assembly into the alleged irregularities.

On the Opposition demand for the resignation of Mr Joseph, he said such matters could be decided only after getting the report of the Assembly panel.

In the light of the reply of Mr Achuthanandan and Mr Joseph, Speaker K Radhakrishnan declined leave for the motion.

UNI