Lok Ayukta notice to Muneer, Salim in Kozhikode

Kozhikode: The Lok Ayukta has issued summons to former district collector P.B. Salim, Minister for Social Justice M.K. Muneer, and former mayor A.K. Premajam  in a complaint on showing discrimination in distributing the compensation for the victims of firebreak that ravaged the Sweet Meet Street in 2007.

Justice Pius Kuriakkose and Justice K.P. Balachandran on January 5 issued the summons in the complaint filed by social activist Ravi Ulliyeri. Three persons were killed and 130 others injured in the fire that consumed many business establishments.

The complaint alleges that Rs 5 lakh was allotted to a person who has no major loss in the firebreak with the intervention of the minister and collector whereas even the dead in the fire  received only Rs 1 lakh each for the family members of two deceased victims. Another family received only Rs 1.3 lakh, it was pointed out.

The complaint alleged that Mr Salim and Dr Muneer had shown undue interest in distributing the amount to a person less affected by the fire while the applications of genuine victims were either rejected or disposed of by giving a paltry sum.

The complainant also submitted the copies of official letters and files regarding the compensation distribution as exhibits at the Lok Ayukta. All the three respondents should appear before the Lok Ayukta on February 5. Mr P.B. Salim, an IAS officer, is at present in West Bengal.

The summons to Mr Salim would be sent through the Chief Secretary of West Bengal government. There were many  complaints from various quarters on the distribution of compensation for the victims in the 2007 firebreak.