Kasaragod: Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said that the Vigilance Department will not be used to wage political vendetta on rivals. He was inaugurating the new offices of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in the city on Saturday. He added that he did not wish to draw the department into a political controversy.

When questioned about the Vigilance inquiry against the former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and nine Ministers in his Cabinet, he replied that though the Government had received complaints, the Cabinet had not yet sanctioned an investigation in this matter.

Mr. Balakrishnan said the Government was still considering the matter.

He said that it was the media that gave the news without taking all facts into consideration. The Minister added that he would take action against those who leaked the news to the media.

Talking about corruption, the Minister cited that many a time the culprits escaped due to loopholes in the law and there would soon be amendments to counter this problem.

Mr. Balakrishnan said the police force would be augmented to assist the law and order situation in the district. He said that the Police Department would be revamped and he had requested the Centre to let the India Reserve Battalion assist the police whenever needed.

He said the policemen on court duty would be assigned to perform regular duty once video conferencing with judges was allowed.

The Minister added that this would necessitate a change in the CRPC and hence he sought the permission from the Central Government for the same.

There was a general problem relating to the availability of suitable residential premises for police personnel, which he assured was receiving attention.

P. Upendra Verma, Director of Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau, gave the welcome address. C.T. Ahmed Ali, MLA, presided over the function. MLA K.V. Kunhiraman gave a vote of thanks. District Panchayat president M.V. Balakrishnan was present on the occasion.

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