Opposition Alleges Corruption Over PPE Kits and Brewery Scandal in Kerala Assembly
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Synopsis
The Congress-led Opposition in Kerala has accused the state government of corruption involving PPE kits and a controversial brewery license. Ramesh Chennithala highlighted the CAG's report indicating significant financial losses, urging the cancellation of a license granted to Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd due to its ties to a jailed official.
Key Takeaways
- Congress-led Opposition accuses Kerala government of corruption.
- CAG report reveals overpriced PPE kit purchases.
- Allegations of a brewery scandal involving Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd.
- Chennithala demands cancellation of the brewery license.
- Protests from Congress and BJP outside the Assembly.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 22 (NationPress) The Congress-led Opposition on Wednesday accused the Kerala government of corruption.
Led by veteran Congress legislator, Ramesh Chennithala, the Opposition claimed that the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led administration was involved in extensive corruption schemes surrounding PPE kits and the approval for a new brewery unit in Palakkad for a controversial liquor company whose director is currently imprisoned in the Delhi excise policy case.
Chennithala highlighted this during his address in the Assembly, pointing out that the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India regarding the acquisition of PPE kits in 2020, amidst the severe Covid pandemic, echoed the allegations raised previously.
The CAG report disclosed that PPE kits, which were available for Rs 550 each, were not procured, and instead, pricier options were purchased at Rs 1,550 per kit, leading to a loss of Rs 10 crore for the government.
“The CAG report corroborated all our concerns raised soon after the purchases in 2020. At that time, the Vijayan government and its Left supporters labeled us as anti-Kerala. However, the truth has now emerged, debunking their defense and revealing this as a corrupt deal,” Chennithala stated.
Regarding the brewery scandal, which has also ignited protests from both the Congress and BJP outside the Assembly, Chennithala mentioned that they previously thwarted an attempt by CM Vijayan to issue licenses to certain firms.
“The current move by Vijayan to sanction the controversial firm speaks volumes about the lengths this government is willing to go. The license granted to Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd ought to be revoked, as it was granted secretly due to Vijayan's undue influence,” he stated.
To reinforce the CAG's findings, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) V.D. Satheesan shared documents related to a PPE kit manufacturing company in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, which was prepared to supply PPE kits at Rs 550 each, but the Vijayan administration awarded the contract to San Pharma, a company near Mumbai.
“Not only did the Mumbai company receive full advance payment for the total order, but they also charged Rs 1,550 for each PPE kit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the then Finance Minister and prominent CPI-M leader Thomas Isaac criticized the BJP government at the Centre for undermining national bodies and institutions, including the CAG.
“The CAG report holds no significance as everyone is aware of their agenda. They attempted to manipulate the state-supported KIIFB and faced consequences. Thus, this report should be viewed in that context,” Isaac remarked.
Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd, whose top executive was previously incarcerated due to the Delhi excise policy case, received clearance to set up multiple facilities in the arid district of Palakkad.
These facilities include an ethanol plant, a multi-feed distillation unit, an Indian-made foreign liquor bottling unit, a brewery, a malt spirit facility, and a brandy/winery plant at Kanjikode on a 26-acre plot acquired two years ago.
