Lottery scam: Chandy seeks VS's suggestions

Thiruvananthapuram, June 20: A day after CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan attacked Kerala's UDF government over the lottery issue, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today (Jun 20) sought his suggestions on a proposed CBI probe into corruption in lotteries being run by outside agencies in the state.

Chandy also sought views of Congress MLA V D Satheesan, who had raised the issue in the previous assembly as an Opposition member.

In a letter to Achuthanandan, Chandy said it was on the advice from the Centre that the notification to refer 32 lottery-related case was issued as it was a procedural obligation for investigation by the national agency.

Clearing the decks for a CBI probe, the government issued a notification two days back under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act for transferring 32 related cases to the central agency.

Achuthanandan, however, dubbed the move a ''ploy'' to scuttle a comprehensive probe, arguing the notification did not cover serious issues like using lottery operations as a cover to launder black money and channelise funds for subversive activities.

PTI