The Hindu : Kerala News : Vested interests ruling Government: VS

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Vested interests ruling Government: VS

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT. 19. The Leader of the Opposition, V. S. Achuthanandan, has said that by "smoking out" M. S. Valiathan from the post of the executive vice-president of the State Council for Science and Technology, the UDF Government had yet again shown that people with talent, commitment and integrity have no place in the scheme of things here.

Vested interests

In a statement today, Mr. Achuthanandan said it was a pity that vested interests should come to rule even the affairs of institutions set up for the purpose of taking the State forward in the field of science and technology.

Reports suggest that Dr. Valiathan's resignation was occasioned by the Chief Minister's insistence on imposing his will on the Council in deciding the directors of three institutions under it, he said.

Any Government with concern for the State would have been eager to utilise the expertise of internationally renowned scientists such as Dr. Valiathan for the benefit of the State. But, the Oommen Chandy Government would rather show them the door to please the interest groups that hold it by the leash, he said.

He said the situation under the Antony regime was no different. Officers who performed their duty with sincerity and commitment invariably got the ousted from their posts.

Citing examples, he said E. K. Bharath Bhooshan was shifted from the post of Forest Secretary when his actions did not please the forest mafia. Suresh Kumar, who crossed swords with the online lottery people, did not last long as the Lottery Director.

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