Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 14 (Inditop.com) Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Wednesday fumbled for words when asked about the list Kerala had forwarded to the central government recommending names for the Padma awards.
When asked how the name of a particular businessman had reportedly figured in the list,
Achuthanandan said such decisions need not be those of the cabinet.
“Moreover, I am not bound to tell you all the details of the decisions that the cabinet takes,” said Achuthanandan. The Padma awards are coveted civilian honours.
Media reports here indicate that the list the state government has forwarded includes the names of two businessman – S.N. Sasidaran Kartha who heads the Cochin Mineral and Rutiles Ltd and NRI Ravi Pillai.
During the rule of the A.K. Antony government from 2001-04, Kartha had come under severe attack from the then opposition led by Achuthanandan. Kartha was to begin mining mineral rich sea sand in Alappuzha district.
Following a series of protests by the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led opposition alleging that the government had been paid by Kartha, the project was abandoned.
The name of Pillai has come under a cloud because the younger son of Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan is the vice-president of his company in the Middle East. It is being said that is the reason why Pillai’s name was included in the list put up by the state government for the Padma awards.
rounak