THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Additional chief secretary Ms. Nalini Netto has justified the Home Department’s decision to suspend the chief engineers of Public Works Department and Kerala Water Authority.
In a file pertaining to the matter sent to the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, she maintained that the Home Department was empowered to place under suspension officials facing Vigilance probes.
She also cited the relevant government orders and circulars in this regard. The file was forwarded to the Chief Minister through Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
The issue pertained to the suspension of PWD chief engineer T. K. Satheeshan and KWA chief engineer V. K. Mahanudevan after the Vigilance registered a case against them in connection with alleged irregularities in awarding works to the Kerala State Construction Corporation.
The issue became controversial as the ministers of the departments concerned were not consulted by the home minister.
