Ratheesh bid to stop ouster from KSCDC

Kochi: A series of adverse reports and a High Court order notwithstanding, the government has chosen to treat K.A. Ratheesh, the tainted MD of the Kerala state cashew development corporation (KSCDC) with kids glove.

Three weeks after the Kerala HC ordered a probe by the CBI into allegations of corruption, the government is understood to have decided to transfer the official from the post.

He will not be put under suspension or will not be subjected to other punishments, sources familiar with the development have said.

Mr Ratheesh, who enjoys political patronage from both the fronts, is making a last ditch effort to stop action by the government, the sources said.

"Sensing his removal was imminent, Mr Ratheesh was seen making the rounds in the secretariat on Monday," the sources said.  

Mr Ratheesh has been facing allegations of corruption onvolving more than Rs 500 crore in the purchase of raw cashew nuts, the main raw material, and the sale of products spread over the last 10 years.    

A committee headed by Industries principal secretary P.H. Kurian which inquired into the allegations of corruption had in its report in May this year recommended the immediate removal of Mr Ratheesh as MD.

Though the state Cabinet had in July approved the recommendations, which included a vigilance probe also, it never acted on the recommendation.

It is understood that Mr Kurian sent a note to industries minister P.K. Kunhalikkutty recommending again that the official be ousted from the post.

KSCDC chairman and state president of Indian National Trade Union Congress R. Chandrasekaharan had resigned from the post following the High Court order.