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KSSC graft: Two engineers suspended for corruption reinstated

The suspension had earlier sparked a tiff between Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Public Works Minister V.K. Ebrahimkunju
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has revoked the suspension of the two chief engineers who were allegedly involved in the corruption in the Kerala State Construction Corporation (KSSC).
The suspension had earlier sparked a tiff between Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Public Works Minister V.K. Ebrahimkunju.
PWD (roads) chief engineer P.K. Satheesan and irrigation department chief engineer V.K. Mahanudevan, both board members of the KSCC, were suspended by the Vigilance department in July on the basis
of a recommendation of the Vigilance director after a corruption case was registered against
the two.
The issue sparked a controversy as the home minister did not consult the public works and irrigation ministers of the action being taken against the officials of those departments.
The suspension review committee that met on November 12 recommended revocation of the suspension of both the officials considering a report of the Vigilance director that the investigation into the case was almost over.
This was approved by the government the other day. They would be given fresh postings soon, said a Vigilance department order in this regard.
It may be recalled that even a verbal duel had reportedly taken place in the cabinet over the issue between the public works and home ministers.
Though the chief minister subsequently sought the remarks of Vigilance department on the matter, additional chief secretary (home and vigilance) Ms. Nalini Netto had justified the decision to suspend the two.
The two were accused of abusing their official positions and entrusting the rubberising of Parappanamgadi rail overbridge- Kadalundi kadavu road worth Rs 8 crore to a contractor of their liking without inviting tenders and by flouting norms.

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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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