Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Lok Ayukta on Friday found that the former Transport Minister N. Sakthan had "acted beyond his jurisdiction and power" by issuing directions for transferring and posting various categories of staff in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation during December 2005 - January 2006. Passing its order on a complaint filed by K.K. Divakaran, general secretary, KSRTC Employees Association here, the Lok Ayukta said Mr. Sakthan had "misused his power as Minister" by allowing his office to interfere in the day-to-day functioning of the Corporation. The Minister had "abused his powers" by directing to pay a considerable amount of money to Annikal Rubbers, the firm that supplied the raw material for re-treading bus tyres. The Industrial Facilitation Council had fixed the amount due to the firm. However, the firm was allotted the money even before the expiry of the time fixed by law for challenging the Council's award. The Lok Ayukta sent a copy of the report against Mr. Sakthan to the Governor.

The Lok Ayukta found that the KSRTC had acted "irresponsibly discarding all notions of fair play" in appointing empanelled conductors. However, the complainant failed to substantiate the allegations against the former Minister in this regard. But, this would not in anyway absolve the authorities of the KSRTC of their "misconduct." The misconduct resorted to by the officers could not be allowed to continue. An Indian Police Service officer headed the KSRTC. Hence, the Lok Ayukta forwarded its report to the Transport Minister for further action.

Mr. Divakaran had earlier filed a petition before the Lok Ayukta seeking a detailed investigation into the allegations of corruption, nepotism, favouritism and maladministration against Mr. Sakthan and Babu Rajendran Nair, his additional private secretary. He had accused Mr. Sakthan and Mr. Nair of violating the provisions of the Kerala Road Transport Act, Rules and Notifications.

However, they had denied the allegations.

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