'Chavan's statement on CVC issue baseless'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan has described as `baseless' the statement of his Maharashtra counterpart Prithviraj Chavan that Kerala government had not informed the Centre that former Chief Vigilance Commissioner P J Thomas was involved in a Vigilance case while he was being considered for the post.

The state government, in its letter dated December 2, 2008, had clearly mentioned that he was facing a Vigilance enquiry in connection with the palmolein import graft case, Achuthanandan said in a statement here.

Chavan had made a statement in the Maharashtra assembly on March 22 that Thomas was appointed as CVC based on the documents received from the Kerala government. Earlier also, a similar statement by Chavan was denied by Achuthanandan.

Achuthanandan said even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said in Parliament that the lapse on the part of Department of Personnel and Training (then under Chavan) resulted in the appointment of Thomas as CVC.

Chavan, who was under the shadow of suspicion was now making a futile attempt to pass on the blame to Kerala government, the Chief Minister said.

"Thomas was appointed on basis of documents.. There is no question of misleading anyone. Kerala government gave a letter on December 2, 2008," Chavan had told Maharashtra assembly on Tuesday.

Thomas was Chief Secretary of Kerala government in 2007. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had suggested three names - two retired officers and one serving - for the post of CVC.