Ministers lodge complaint against Home Dept over suspension of officials

Thiruvananthapuram: Two ministers of the UDF government Saturday lodged a complaint with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy against the state Home Department over the suspension of two officials.

Public Works Minister V.K. Ebrahimkunju and Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph, in their complaint, reportedly alleged Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala was using his police and vigilance departments to interfere in their departments.

They are upset after a few senior officials were recently suspended following a vigilance probe, which spotted errors in their functioning.

The Home Department, however, said there was nothing legally wrong in the move.

“There is no legal hurdle in issuing show-cause notice to and taking action against erring officials,” the department said.

Minister Ibrahim Kunju later told reporters that he didn’t make any complaint against Chennithala.

"Even though I have not made any complaints against Chennithala, I have informed the chief minister that there were certain lapses and procedural errors in the manner in which my department officials were suspended," said Kunju.

Action was taken against the officers in connection with a VACB report with regard to the construction of Kadalundy bridge.