Irregularities in relief fund: Lokayukta yet to issue order even after one year

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Lokayukta has not issued an order even after a year of completion of the hearing in the relief fund misappropriation case against the Chief Minister and 18 ministers of the previous cabinet. Since the Governor has not signed the bill curtailing the powers of the Lokayukta, the government will be in crisis if the Lokayukta issues an adverse verdict.

During the hearing, the government moved an ordinance amending Section 14 of the Lokayukta. Although the governor signed the ordinance, he did not give approval to the replacement bill. As the bill did not become law, Section 14 was restored. KT Jaleel resigned from the ministerial post in the nepotism case on the Lokayukta order under this section. The Lokayukta postponed issuing the order with the introduction of the ordinance curtailing its power. At the same time, the government is of the view that the Lokayukta has no authority to question the decision of the cabinet. The government had informed the Lokayukta that it had given assistance to those who were eligible on humanitarian grounds.