KOCHI: The Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has formed an investigation commission in connection with the death of a coir board employee. A three-member committee was formed to examine the allegations against the officials. The coir board has directed to submit a report within fifteen days.

The dead is Jolly Madhu (56) of Vennala Chalikkavattom Payyappally House and section officer in the administrative section of the coir board office in Kochi. She was a cancer survivor. She was on ventilator in Amrita Hospital since January 31 following brain haemorrhage.

Her relatives had alleged that Jolly became ill after senior officials, including the former secretary of the board, mentally harassed her and made her an accused in two vigilance cases. Her brother Abraham said although filed complaints, including to the Prime Minister, no favourable steps were taken.

Jolly had found corruption and irregularities in projects and transactions and had recorded them in the file. When she was transferred to Andhra Pradesh, she applied for leave in last October, citing cancer, but was rejected. The leave was granted after the medical board, headed by the district medical officer, granted medical leave. The transfer was then cancelled but threatened with being implicated in the case if she did not apologize to the secretary and others. Abraham explained that the stress of this was the cause of brain haemorrhage.

Baseless, says coir board
Chairman Vipul Goyal said in a press release that the allegations against the board were baseless. Jolly Madhu joined as an LD clerk in 1996. Transferring her to Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh was an administrative act. After her health issues were noticed, the transfer was cancelled and disbursed her salary arrears. He said that action will be taken against those responsible if any lapses were found in the board.