'I disagree with Governor's action'; recommendation on PSC made without following procedures, says CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan has announced that the draft proposals for the International Maritime Museum and Oceanarium, projects announced in the UDF government's Budget, have been approved. He said both projects would become prestigious tourism initiatives for Kerala. The Oceanarium would be a modern facility with no parallel anywhere else in India, he added.

The Chief Minister was speaking to the media after the Cabinet meeting. He said steps had already been initiated to expedite the implementation of both projects.

"Twelve new posts of Dental Hygienist Grade II and 16 new posts of Cath Lab Technician Grade II have been sanctioned in the Health Department. In Kozhikode, six employees were reverted and dismissed following a court directive over allegations that they had secured promotions through an illegal change of category. They will now be retained in service through the creation of supernumerary posts," the Chief Minister said.

"The former Governor's recommendation to the President seeking the removal of the PSC chairman and members was made without following the prescribed procedures. The Governor should take decisions on such matters in consultation with the government and should not act unilaterally. The irregularities in the PSC cannot be brushed aside merely because the Governor has made a recommendation. We will restore the credibility of the PSC and bring those responsible to justice," he said.

On the transfer of the KSEB Chairman, Satheesan said it was a routine administrative decision and not an isolated transfer. Several officials, including senior officers, had also been transferred, and all the changes were made in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

"The Electricity Minister had sent me a file with two proposals. One was from the Himachal Pradesh government, which offered to supply electricity at Rs 14.50 per unit. The other was from a private company, GNA, which offered to supply power at Rs 8.90 per unit. Should the government pay Rs 6 more per unit simply because the power is being supplied by another government? This would impose an additional financial burden of Rs 2,232 crore on the state. Therefore, we have decided to purchase electricity from GNA. The previous Pinarayi Vijayan government had also purchased power from the same company and had procured electricity from Adani, among others," he said.

Highlighting the government's initiatives in Vizhinjam, the Chief Minister said projects that had not been undertaken by the previous government were now being implemented.

"Work on a fishing harbour worth Rs 260 crore has been launched. We have allocated Rs 90 crore for renovating the existing harbour and initiated the construction of a breakwater worth Rs 125 crore to protect the coastline. We have distributed Rs 35 crore as kerosene subsidy. Around 2,000 fishermen have received financial assistance of up to Rs 3.5 lakh in their bank accounts. A total of Rs 510 crore has been earmarked for the welfare of fishermen," he said.

On the issuance of bar licences, Satheesan alleged that the previous government had put in place a system that allowed officials to grant licences without the Minister's knowledge. He said the practice would be discontinued.

"The previous government had created a system under which officials could issue bar licences without the Minister's knowledge. This will be changed. No licence will be issued without the government's knowledge. The government will announce its liquor policy, and bar licences will be granted strictly in accordance with it," he said.

Responding to the ongoing LPST protest, the Chief Minister said the government had not ignored the protesters. He said the General Education Minister had held eight rounds of discussions with protest leader Valarmathi, while he himself had held two rounds of talks with her.

"Of the five demands raised by the protesters, the government has accepted four. The General Education Minister will brief the media on this. I did not make those remarks to insult them. I felt sad when I saw her tonsuring her head as part of the protest. My eyes filled with tears too," he added.