Kerala government clean chit to 2 additional secretaries

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has exonerated two additional secretaries the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) had charged with corruption during their tenure at Kerala State Horticultural Product Development Corporation (Horticorp).

Shaju P. K. and R. Rajagopal were facing charges of paying salaries to employees without renewing their contract.

But the government exonerated them because the two officers, who were serving on deputation at Horticorp, had brought the matter to the notice of higher-ups.

The VACB had conducted a quick verification into the alleged irregularities in appointments at Horticorp, besides various other allegations, last year. Subsequently, it reported to the government that Mr Shaju and Mr Rajagopal who served as administrative officers during 2006 - 2013 period allowed the contract employees to draw salaries even as their contract expired. 

The VACB also recommended action against them. The government subsequently heard them, and they maintained that the VACB reached a conclusion without hearing them. 

They also submitted evidence for reporting the non-renewal of contract of some employees to Horticorp managing director.

"The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau's recommendation to take disciplinary action against them will not stand as the same is not accompanied with documents to substantiate the charges for the specific lapse and or malafide," said a government order issued the other day exonerating the two. 

Mr Shaju is now serving at Kerala State Election Commission, and Mr Rajagopal is with the taxes department.