Sriram Venkitaraman removed from PRD’s fact check team

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sensational IAS official Sriram Venkitaraman has been removed from PRD’s fact checking panel. The government’s decision to include Venkitraman, accused in the death of journalist K M Basheer in a drink drive case, had stoked a controversy. Biju Bhaskar, additional secretary (health department) is the new member.

Sriram, joint secretary of the health department was included in the panel in the first week of October. The fact checking wing was formed as per the directive of the chief minister to prevent dissemination of fake news on social media against the government. It was widely criticized for politically misusing government facility. Representatives of various departments including police are in the panel led by PRD secretary.