Cong insists on CBI probe in Lavalin case

Kozhikode, Nov 17 (UNI) The Congress in Kerala today urged the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government to insist on a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the three power projects awarded to a Canadian firm by the LDF government in its previous tenure.

Referring to the CBI's refusal to handle the case, PCC president Ramesh Chennithala told mediapersons here the government should implement the previous United Democratic Front government recommendation of a CBI probe into the loss of Rs 374 crore in Palliwasal, Chenkulam and Panniar power renovation projects awarded to SNC Lavalin of Canada.

The Vigilance Department, which probed the case, had already submitted its report and there was no legal restrictions as cited by the CBI, hindering its taking over the case, he said.

Mr Chennithala said his party suspected a concerted effort by 'certain elements' to scuttle the probe involving then Electricity Minister and present CPI(M) Kerala state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, who had finalised the contracts.

Describing the six-month-old LDF govenrment headed by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan as a 'total failure,' he said Ministers had little time to resolve the crisis faced by the state as they were preoccupied with simmering factionalism in the CPI(M).

Stating that the 'six-month grace period' was over, he said the Congress would embark on a state wide agitation to expose the 'all-round failure' of the government.

Accusing the CPI(M) of introducing 'cell rule' in the state, he said every decision on governance was taken from party headquarters at AKG Bhawan, adding the Congress considered such a situation anti-people.

UNI PCH KD MIR HT1645