Former Excise Commissioner drags Minister Liju into bar bribery controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao, who lost his post for granting bar licences without informing the department minister, has dragged Excise Minister M Liju into the controversy before stepping down. His allegations have come at a time when the government and the Opposition are blaming each other over the bar licence issue.

Rao submitted a report detailing corruption allegations against Joint Excise Commissioner S Vinod and Alappuzha Deputy Commissioner K R Ajay to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Taxes Department on Friday, the day he was transferred. The report also alleged that Minister Liju was well acquainted with the bar owner who bribed Ajay. He further claimed that the minister had transferred officials in 32 posts without informing him.

Minister Liju responded by saying that the allegations against the government would be investigated. He said Rao could have brought these matters to his attention earlier. The minister also said he would recommend departmental and Vigilance inquiries into Rao's conduct from the beginning of his tenure.

According to the report, Vinod allegedly accepted Rs 50,000 from a bar owner in Muvattupuzha in connection with bar timings and licence renewal. The report also alleged that Vinod had told a friend that a bar owner would pay him Rs 30,000 during his inspection visit to Alappuzha. Ajay allegedly accepted Rs 30,000 from Ratheesh, a bar owner at Kattachira in Kayamkulam, during an inspection. He also allegedly received another Rs 20,000 in April for licence renewal. The report further stated that an informant had alerted the authorities about the bar owner's links with Minister Liju. In another case, Ajay allegedly accepted a bribe of Rs 1 lakh to settle a complaint that two toddy shops were operating under a single licence in Kottayam district. He allegedly suppressed the complaint by ensuring that the investigation report submitted by the Vaikom Circle Inspector was not forwarded to the Commissionerate.

The report further alleged that Ajay was running some bars in Kottayam by taking them on lease and using a relative as a benami. It also mentioned allegations that he was involved in the sale of permit liquor and had accumulated benami assets. The report said Vinod and Ajay were not suitable for field assignments and recommended that they be posted to offices where there were fewer opportunities for collecting money. It also made three recommendations to prevent such irregularities.

'I was not informed about transfers'

Rao said interference was preventing the department from shifting its transfer procedures online. He alleged that the Additional Commissioner (Administration) had transferred inspectors and Circle Inspectors in 32 posts without informing him. When he sought an explanation, the Section Superintendent reportedly informed him in writing that the transfer list had been prepared after discussions at the organisational level and with the minister's office.

Responding to the allegation about his acquaintance with the bar owner, Minister M. Liju said: "I know everyone in my constituency. That includes people who run bars as well as those who do not. What is wrong with that?"

Vellappally backs action against officials

Granting bar licences before the government's liquor policy was announced was a serious mistake by the officials, said Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of the SNDP Yogam.

"Officials are not above the minister. The situation could arise tomorrow where the minister is accused of corruption over the licences granted by officials. If officials act against the government's policies, taking action against them is only natural," he said.