'It is a challenge against people': Congress to protest appointment of Sriram Venkitaraman as Alappuzha district collector

ALAPPUZHA: Congress will stage protest against appointment of Sriram Venkitaraman as Alappuzha District Collector. Muslim League district president AM Nazir alleged that the appointment of Sriram Venkitaraman is a disgrace to Alappuzha district itself and the decision of the government to appoint the murder case accused as the district collector is a challenge against the people.

Sriram Venkitaraman is the accused in the killing of journalist KM Basheer in drunken driving. In a statement, AM Nazir said that the appointment of a tainted person to the post of District Collector with magisterial powers will have far-reaching consequences and the appointment of Sriram Venkataraman is a disgrace to Alappuzha district itself.

Alappuzha DCC will organize a dharna in front of the collectorate tomorrow at 10 am to protest against the state government's action of appointing Sriram as collector. Ramesh Chennithala responded that he will not accept the government's decision to appoint Sriram as the collector and that Sriram's appointment is a challenge to the people. Chennithala demanded that the government should withdraw this decision. AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal said that Shri Ram's appointment was an unstable decision by an unbalanced government.

Sriram Venkataraman was appointed as Alappuzha District Collector yesterday. Alappuzha Collector Renu Raj was also transferred to Ernakulam. Thiruvananthapuram Collector Dr Navjot Khosa will be the Joint Director in the Health Department. Navjot Khose is also in charge of Medical Services Corporation MD. Geromic George is the new Collector of Thiruvananthapuram. He was serving as the Joint Commissioner of Land Revenue Department.

KSIDC Managing Director Rajamanikyam has been made Rural Development Commissioner. Jafar Malik will be the PRD director.

Jafar Malik also has additional charge of Mining and Geology Department. The government also decided to appoint Harikishore as the managing director of KSIDC. Harikishore has been given the additional charge of MD, KSIDC along with his current charge of Director, Department of Industries and Commerce.