CPI(M) state secretariat to probe 'Desabhimani' bond issue

Thiruvananthapuram, June 30 (UNI) Kerala State Committee of the CPI (M), which met here today, authorised party state secretariat to inquire into the alleged acceptance of Rs two crore by party organ ''Desabhimani'' in exchange for bonds from ''lottery mafia.'' The state committee in a statement here clarified that the daily had decided to accept advance deposit from those providing advertisement to the newspaper for its developmental activities.

A meeting of all editions in this regard was convened and the advertisers informed of their promises to the daily, it said.

Stating that the advance deposit was returnable to the investor with interest and that too in a fixed time, the release said the scheme was transparent and nothing wrong in it.

In the wake of certain allegations levelled against the daily about the four deposits with Rs 50 lakh each among the deposits, the state committee had decided to return back the deposit immediately, though the allegations were aimed at with certain aims, it added.

The issue had rocked the State Assembly, leading to walk out by the Congress-led Opposition. The KPCC had demanded a CBI probe stating that the issue was an inter-state issue.

UNI