Appointing Thomas as CVC shows centre’s helplessness: Achuthanandan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Monday said the central government has proved its “helplessness” by appointing P.J. Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner.

Addressing reporters here, the chief minister said Thomas is one of the two Indian Administrative Service officials accused in the palm oil case besides a very senior politician.

“This palm oil case has been heard at various courts in the country including the Supreme Court. By appointing such a person as the CVC, it shows the helplessness and the incapacity of the centre,” said Achuthanandan.

The palm oil case was registered in 1999 when E.K. Nayanar was the chief minister. Senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran and Thomas and another bureaucrat Jiji Thompson were accused, among others, of a criminal conspiracy causing a loss of Rs.2.32 crore to the state exchequer on account of importing 15,000 tonnes of palm oil from Malaysia at enhanced price.

Achuthanandan had filed a review petition in the apex court in this case.

Incidentally, prior to taking up the central government posting, Thomas was the chief secretary of the state and was appointed by the Achuthanandan government.