The Hindu : Kerala News : Government move for action against Upendra Verma triggers criticism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 13, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Government move for action against Upendra Verma triggers criticism

M. Harish Govind

Vigilance Department employees rally round Director

SPILLING THE BEANS? Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau Director Upendra Verma.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government's move for action against Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Director Upendra Verma on the basis of his remarks about the non-receipt of certain files relating to cases against the Canadian firm SNC Lavalin has come in for criticism from department officials. They feel that the director is being made a scapegoat for divulging facts about a politically sensitive case to the media.

Mr. Verma had dropped what turned out to be a bombshell at an impromptu press conference called to announce the annual conference of Vigilance officials here on May 23. He had said that investigations into the deal struck by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government with SNC Lavalin for renovating three hydel projects could not be completed so far because the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) was yet to give up certain crucial files. A senior official said the director's remark about non-receipt of files hampering the investigation of SNC Lavalin cases should be seen in a larger perspective. This was because the missing files pertained not only to the 2003 cases regarding the Pallivasal, Chengulam and Panniyar hydel projects, but also to the 1997 case regarding the Lower Periyar Project.

Four cases were registered in 1997 on the basis of an order of the Special Court here. One of these was that a former Technical Member and a former Accounts Member of the KSEB had helped the Canadian firm make a profit of Rs.4.5 crores as consultant for the Lower Periyar Project. The Vigilance had given a formal request for the SNC Lavalin file at that time too, but the KSEB did not oblige. This was mentioned in the factual report on the investigation submitted to the court. On the court's directive, a search was conducted for the file in the house and the office of the accused Accounts Member, but in vain.

"In fact, not one, but two crucial files in the SNC Lavalin cases are still missing and how they are connected will only become clear in the course of the investigation. It is not known whether the Home Secretary's inquiry into the circumstances behind Mr. Verma's remarks took this into account," the official said.

Though the VACB is empowered to conduct a surprise check of an office and take custody of a file, this is hardly ever done owing to practical difficulties. The files sought are handed over in 99 per cent of the cases with just one request. A reminder could have been sent to the KSEB, but Vigilance officials usually have their hands full as they work on several cases at a time, it is pointed out.

The general feeling is that the punitive action against Mr. Verma, the senior most police official in the State, sends a bad signal. "Mr. Verma is highly respected for his integrity and sincerity. He has all along kept a low profile and never spoken to the media before. It is a pity that a different meaning is sought to be given to his remarks," an official said.

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