Oommen Chandy rejects CBI probe demand

KOCHI: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday rejected the Opposition demand for a CBI enquiry into the alleged political interference and conspiracy in the finalisation of a 256-crore contract for a pollution control project for the state-owned Travancore Titanium Products Ltd (TTPL).

Earlier initiating discussions on the adjournment motion moved by him, CPM's TM Thomas Issac asked for the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for causing 100 crore loss to the state exchequer due to the decision. The Opposition staged a walk-out at the end of discussion on the adjournment motion as the Chandy declined to discus further enquiry as the matter was under the consideration of the court.

The opposition parties alleged that Chandy had favoured Mecon Ltd, a central government undertaking, for the implementation of the project. Though an alternative project proposal of 108 crore prepared by the FEDO, the design wing of Fertlisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd, was available, the chief minister went ahead with the project.

Participating in the discussion, the opposition parties alleged that Chandy had written two letters, in April 2005 and January 2006, to Thyagarajan, chairman of the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee, on the matter.

Chandy mentioned Mecon in his letter much before the project was awarded to it. The points raised by the Pollution Control Board against the proposal was disregarded while the charge of pollution control department was taken away from Congress's K Ramachadran Master by Chandy and given to Sujanapal, the opposition parties alleged.

Apart from Thomas Issac, former industries minister Elamaram Kareem and MLA Shivan Kutty spoke on the issue. Kareem explained that the project was abandoned by the LDF.