The Hindu : Front Page : Chief Secretary to probe officials' lapse

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 30, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Chief Secretary to probe officials' lapse

Special Correspondent

TIMELY INTERVENTION: V.S. Achuthanandan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan on Thursday said that the Chief Secretary would probe any lapse on the part of officials in communicating on time the State Government's plea to the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions for extension of time to express its views on according minority status to self-financing professional colleges.

The Chief Minister's intervention in the matter cut short a heated debate, with the Opposition alleging that Education Minister M. A. Baby had prevaricated in his replies to its doubts expressed on the previous days. Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy, at a press conference, rejected Mr. Achuthanandan's offer, stating that a probe by the Chief Secretary would not be able to dispel the doubts about the Education Minister's stand.

Mr. Chandy brought up the matter when the House was about to take up the debate on the four-month `vote on account.' Referring to the documents the Education Minister tabled on Wednesday, Mr. Chandy claimed that these had given rise to further doubts, particularly the fax message sent on June 23. The Minister himself had stated that the fax was sent to Kerala House in Delhi to be handed over to the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions and after sending the fax, the Kerala House authorities had been alerted. Mr. Chandy said his inquiries revealed that the Kerala House authorities had not received the fax message. Mr. Baby admitted to lapse on the part of officials.

He said the State Government had written to the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions on May 29 seeking extension of time by one month to submit its views on the minority status for self-financing institutions. He said the Government had not received any communication from the commission rejecting its plea and it had processed the matter keeping in mind the one-month deadline.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page