CM should reply on relief commission's report: Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 7 (UNI) Terming Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan's adverse statement against the Debt Relief Commission ''unfortunate,'' Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Oommen Chandy today said instead of giving a proper reply on the commission's report, the Chief Minister has only blamed it.

The Chief Minister should give a proper reply as to why even a single rupee was not spent towards debt relief as per the commission's recommendation.

Pointing out that though Rs 129.5 core was earmarked in the budget during the year 2007-08, Rs 16 crore had lapsed as debt relief was not given to 4,139 people, as recommended by the commission, he asked Finance Minister Thomas Issac to give an explanation in this regard.

Stating that Agriculture Minister Mullakara Rethnakaran had stated that not a single paise had been spent towards debt relief till June 2008, he alleged that it was the ''inaptness'' of the Finance Department.

UNI CGV RL NS1617