Kerala: Horticorp director, Dr Ranjan S Karippai quits after Rs 2 crore loss

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Horticorp director Dr. Ranjan S. Karippai has resigned from the post after incurring a loss of Rs 2 crore by giving subsidies on vegetable procuring as per the advice of agriculture minister V. S. Sunil Kumar. Though Dr. Karippai confirmed his resignation, he vehemently denied any difference of opinion with the agriculture minister.

Mr. Sunil Kumar had initiated raids at the Horticorp’s distribution centre in Anayara World Market last July soon after LDF came to power. It was found that the vegetables were not procured from farmers but from wholesale dealers at Chalai market which led to the suspension of then MD M. Suresh Kumar. Dr. Karippai was appointed as MD of Horticorp in his place. A top agriculture department official said that the minister used to order Dr. Karippai to provide subsidies to farmers.

“It reached a stage when the Horticorp could not take up any such orders as payments remained pending. Several farmers created unruly scenes at the Horticorp’s office following this,” said the official. Dr. Karippai however said that it was due to health reasons that he put in his papers. “It is a baseless allegation that I was having issues with the minister when in fact I got full support from him everytime.”