BJP accuses Keralam govt of bias after excise officer flags bribes before transfer
BJP MLA V Muraleedharan on Saturday accused the Keralam government of sidelining honest officers after former Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao flagged alleged bribe collection by senior officials shortly before being relieved from his post.
Rao’s report recommended a vigilance inquiry into two Excise officials and referred to a bar owner known to Excise Minister M Liju. The minister called for an investigation but denied that Rao’s transfer was linked to disagreements over the department’s functioning.
“The message this government has been giving during the last couple of weeks is that honest officers have no place in this administration,” Muraleedharan said.
He cited the earlier removal of KSEB chairman Rajamanickam and questioned a power purchase agreement that he alleged was against the state’s interests. The government wanted officers willing to serve its political agenda, he claimed.
Rao submitted the report on Friday, shortly before being relieved as Excise Commissioner. He was posted as Special Secretary in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Department, with additional charge of the Backward Classes Development Department.
The report alleged that S Vinod, who served as Joint Excise Commissioner, maintained close links with the owner of Ganga Bar in Muvattupuzha and acted as a liaison on licensing matters.
An informant cited in the report alleged that Vinod demanded Rs 30,000 a month from the owner and received Rs 50,000 for securing approvals related to bar timings and licence extensions.
The report also raised allegations against Alappuzha Deputy Excise Commissioner Ajay. It said the owner of Roma Centre Bar at Kattachira in Kayamkulam was asked to pay Rs 30,000 during the officer’s inspection visits.
It identified the owner as Ratheesh and said he was known to Liju. The report also mentioned an alleged payment of Rs 20,000 after Onam this year in connection with the bar’s licence renewal in April.
Rao recommended removing both officials from field postings and conducting a vigilance inquiry into alleged bribe collection, monthly payments and disproportionate assets under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
He also sought tighter scrutiny of appointments to sensitive posts and recommended that senior Excise postings be based on reports from the commissioner.MINISTER SAYS KNOWING BAR OWNERS IS NOT UNUSUAL
CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan alleged that the report raised questions about Liju’s links with the officials and bar owners concerned.
Govindan claimed that pressure had prevented Rao from transferring officials facing corruption allegations. He described Rao’s reported departure from office in an autorickshaw, leaving behind his official vehicle, as a sign of protest.
“The minister must give a clear answer to these allegations,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, Liju said there was nothing unusual about knowing bar owners in Kayamkulam, his constituency.
“I know people who run bars and those who do not. I know everyone here. I also know people in the liquor-related business in Kayamkulam,” he said.
The minister called for a proper inquiry, including against retired officials if necessary. He said Rao should have submitted the report before his transfer so that a detailed investigation could have been conducted.
There was no immediate response from the bar owners.TRANSFER FOLLOWS DISPUTE OVER LICENCES
Rao’s transfer came after Liju publicly expressed dissatisfaction over licences issued under the previous LDF government’s liquor policy.
Three bars in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts had received licences while the UDF government was preparing its own policy. Liju suspended two Deputy Excise Commissioners over the approvals.
He also intervened to cancel a licence allowing a Chalakudy-based bakery chain to sell horti wine and transferred the official responsible.
Liju said the government had informed the High Court that no fresh licences would be issued until the new policy was announced, which he said would happen by the end of November.
Describing Rao’s transfer as a routine administrative decision, the minister said 35 civil servants had recently been transferred and Rao’s could be considered the 36th.
The Additional Excise Commissioner (Enforcement) will hold charge as Excise Commissioner until further orders.- Ends
