Kottayam (Keralam), Oct 17 Senior CPI(M) leader V N Vasavan on Saturday accused the UDF government of “attempting to divert” KIIFB funds for other purposes and urged it not to undermine the institution.
Speaking to reporters here, Vasavan said several major development projects that transformed Keralam’s infrastructure, education and healthcare sectors over the past decade were implemented through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
“KIIFB was the source of finance for the majority of development projects implemented in Kerala in the last 10 years,” he said, adding that the government should not dismantle the institution.
The former minister alleged that there was a suspected attempt to divert the funds available with KIIFB to other government projects to address the state’s financial crisis.
Noting that KIIFB was learnt to have a balance of Rs 30,000 crore, Vasavan said the proposed move would be akin to “slaughtering a hen that lays golden eggs” and urged the government to withdraw from what he termed a “misguided approach”.
Taking a dig at the government over its decision to constitute Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to probe various matters, he quipped that an SIT might soon be formed to investigate KIIFB as well.
“Kerala currently has an SIT government,” he said in a lighter vein.
On preparations for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season, Vasavan, who had served as Devaswom minister in the previous LDF government, said the arrangements had been delayed and should have begun in June.
He also claimed that pilgrims had not faced complaints during previous pilgrimage seasons.
Vasavan’s remarks come amid a political row over a report by an expert panel headed by Sudha Pillai, which reviewed KIIFB, established by the previous LDF government.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan had said on Thursday that the panel flagged serious financial irregularities, violations of rules and huge financial liabilities.
Describing KIIFB as a “separate empire”, Satheesan had said the government would examine the report and decide on further action.
(PTI News)
