THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet validated the action of former DGP Loknath Behera to divert Rs 4.33 crore allowed for the construction of police staff quarters by overriding strong opposition from the finance department.

The finance department had objected to Behera with the approval of Finance Minister KN Balagopal. The Chief Minister had sent the file to the Planning and Finance Department to validate Behera's action. Then the Finance Department objected by citing reasons. 'The act of diverting the plan funds and starting another construction work without the permission of the Government cannot be validated. Union Home Department will provide funds only for approved projects. Central funds will be available only after the submission of their utilization certificate. The police department has taken action by overriding the permission given by the central and state governments. This is a blatant violation. The police chief has not only overridden the administrative and financial powers of the state government but also lost the amount due from the central government. Therefore strict disciplinary action should be taken against the police chief. This is approved by the Finance Minister' - this is how the Finance Department wrote in the file sent back to the Chief Minister.

However, during the cabinet meeting, all the objections raised against the police chief were avoided. According to the decision of the Cabinet, the Home Department issued an order validating the action on July 30.