THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Addressing the media, Speaker Sreeramakrishnan said the allegations of corruption levelled against him by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala are not factually correct.

Sreeramakrishnan said that he has no opinion that the Legislative Secretariat, the Speaker or any other constitutional position are sacred cows that should not be subject to criticism. He said there is no intolerance for the Speaker and the assembly to be subjected to criticism and scrutiny by society, various organizations and political parties.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and BJP state chief K Surendran had harshly criticised the Speaker recently. The Speaker responded to the allegations levelled by Chennithala this morning on Loka Kerala Sabha and Sabha TV.

However, he asked whether it was right to attack constitutional organisations based on untrue speculations. He said that for the last four and a half years efforts were taken to make the Kerala Legislative Assembly the best in the country.

The work done in the lounge as part of the First Loka Kerala Sabha was not carried out under the leadership of the assembly. The assembly asked permission for it. Permission was sought to hold the conference under the leadership of NORKA. It was granted. Bought chairs needed for it and we used them when we renewed it again.

The administration sanctioned 16 crore 65 lakh for civil, mechanical, electrical and electronics works in the Members Lounge. There is an expert committee to scrutinize whether the expenses incurred as part of the administrative sanction are required. The work was completed for 9 crore 17 lakh. Uralungal was awarded the contract considering their improved track record. The work was completed on the stipulated time. The assembly panel supervised it, he said.