Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 24 The Congress here on Monday came out with documents to prove that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was feigning ignorance about the Rs 160 crore CIMS (Central Intrusion Monitoring System) project, implemented in the Kerala Police department, which the CAG pointed out as a faulty contract.
The CAG report, tabled in the Kerala Assembly early this month, pointed to a collusion between Keltron (a state public sector enterprise) and the police in the purchases and that a special programme by the name CIMS, which links the police headquarters with private agencies through CCTVs to maintain safety and security of homes and businesses, was a deal done by keeping many in the dark.
Vijayan, after the controversy erupted, is yet to say anything about the CAG report or its findings, while his party and other leaders have said everything is in order and the opposition is kicking up a needless controversy.
Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, who has been pursuing the CAG report, came out with documentary evidences against Vijayan on the way he was feigning ignorance of handing over the project to Galaxon, a private company.
Vijayan knew everything and by feigning ignorance he misled the Assembly, he added.
"He had informed the Assembly on January 7 in reply to the opposition questions the project was cleared and the control room for it was opened at the police headquarters on October 4, 2019. But when our legislators again raised the issue on November 18, about Galaxon and other aspects, he feigned ignorance and said details were being collected. How come when he admitted on October 4 that the control room was opened, he doesn't know who are behind the project. It's a clear case of corruption and hence he is silent," said Chennithala.
Now with the Assembly set to resume budget session on March 2, Chennithala and the Opposition is set to take on Vijayan. They have now the CAG report and the public accounts committee, chaired by Congress legislator V.D. Sateeshan.
( With inputs from IANS )