Birthday bash lands Kerala Transport Commissioner in trouble

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 11: With controversy brewing over the celebrations of state Transport Commissioner Tomin J Thachankary's birthday in various offices of Motor Vehicles Department in Kerala, Transport Minister A K Saseendran today directed the Chief Secretary to look into the matter.

The minister, who is away in New Delhi, today directed Chief Secretary S M Vijayanand to examine if any circular had been issued by Thachankary, directing birthday celebrations in all RTO offices in the state. Thachankary, a 1984-batch IPS officer, cut cakes and distributed sweets at various functions in Kochi yesterday, while elsewhere in the state, the department staff handed down cakes and ladoos on the occassion.

As the issue became a talking point, Thachankary claimed he had spent money for the celebrations from his own pocket and hence there was no need to whip up any controversy.

The senior IPS officer has always been dogged by controversies, ranging from allegedly amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income and making frequent trips abroad without seeking government's permission.

PTI