THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC) managing director Rahul R. has refused to take up the departmental enquiry against one of his predecessors Rajashree Ajith, citing conflict of interest.
The state government has appointed another officer to conduct the inquiry as part of the disciplinary action in connection with irregularities in engaging two firms as direct marketing agency of KTDFC.
Transport department additional secretary Malathi S. is the new inquiry officer. The government in February ordered disciplinary proceedings against Rajashree as per the recommendation of the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau and appointed Rahul R. as the inquiry officer.
Sources said that Mr Rahul had informed that it would be improper for him to conduct the inquiry as he was now holding the post of KTDFC managing director and the organisation itself had earlier maintained that there was corruption in engaging the direct marketing agencies. A vigilance enquiry found that private firms were entrusted as special agency at KTDFC during the tenure of Rajashree Ajith and were paid about Rs 4 lakh as various charges flouting norms.
