The Hindu : Front Page : Idukki Collector shifted

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Thursday, Sep 27, 2007
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Idukki Collector shifted

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister says there were complaints against him

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet decided to shift Idukki Collector Raju Narayanaswamy to Pathanamthitta on Wednesday. Pathanamthitta Collector Asok Kumar Sinha will be posted as the new Collector of Idukki.

Mr. Narayanaswamy was one of the officials who led the operations against encroachments and unauthorised constructions at Munnar that met with a premature end. He had also inquired into a land deal by the son and daughter of T.U. Kurivilla who had to resign as Minister for Public Works over the issue. He had also proceeded against the former Minister P.J. Joseph and his relatives regarding their alleged illegal landholdings.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, announcing the decisions of the weekly Cabinet meeting, said there were complaints against Mr. Narayanaswamy. The government had not taken count of the complaints. It felt that it was better to have a stronger person in Idukki. Continuation of Mr. Narayanaswamy in Idukki was not advisable.

Mr. Achuthanandan denied that his transfer was the result of an action taken by the Collector against Kerala Congress (J) leader P.J. Joseph. The new Collector will continue whatever right steps Mr. Narayanaswamy had taken.

The Chief Minister said the Cabinet had not yet decided on a posting for K. Suresh Kumar who headed the Special Task Force at Munnar. The allegations against Mr. Suresh Kumar had been looked into and dismissed as baseless.

Condition of roads

He said the High Court had criticised the government for the poor condition of roads not knowing the reasons for the situation. The surfacing work could not be undertaken during rain, and the downpour is yet to stop in the northern districts. It appears that the government pleader had not presented the problem before the Court.

He had convened a meeting of public works officials and a decision had been taken to repair the roads in a month’s time. There is no shortage of funds, and the work has started in some places.

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