Expedite solar, bar bribe probe: Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said his government was not interfering with the investigations into the solar fraud and bar bribe case. However, he said the government had already asked the agency concerned to expedite the ongoing probes.

Excerpts of the press conference:

Q: Is there any deadline for completing infrastructure projects ?

A: We are moving ahead in a time bound manner. But there are several issues that need to be addressed. Our aim is to go forward without much delay.

Local bodies are not cooperating with Life and Haritha Kerala Mission. They have not included these under annual plan?

Local bodies have been asked to adopt a proactive approach.
They should include the activities under these missions in their next annual plan.

Have you evaluated the overall performance of government and performance of ministers?

Overall performance of the government is good. There are no major drawbacks in the functioning of departments. The performance is up to our expectations.

You are claiming about corruption-free governance but at the same time have given Cabinet berth to Balakrishna Pillai?

When we evaluate government functioning, there has been strong action against corruption. Earlier corrupt people were saved through political intervention. We have not spared the corrupt. Law will take its own course is not being said just symbolically but implemented in a practical manner.

The government has failed to move an inch forward in the probe into solar scam and bar bribe case?

We are not giving any directions to the investigation agencies about the probe on taking action against political foes. But we have asked that all probes should be expedited.

Even after one year, you have not been able to announce liquor policy. Isn't this a failure?

It is not a failure but only incidental.
The bypolls were announced at the time of new abkari policy. The previous policy was extended by three months. The new policy will be announced soon.

On tie up with K.M. Mani ?

Our state secretary has made our stand clear. In case of local bodies our position is clear. To prevent the Congress and BJP from attaining power, the party can go for local level adjustments.

On controversies surrounding the government?

There is no dearth of controversies in the state. I have made it clear that we don't want to go behind controversies. We want to implement decisions.

On the relations with the Centre?

Barring some issues like refusal to meet an all-party delegation, there has been better cooperation between the Centre and the state government.