Thiruvananthapuram: Former chief secretary K.M. Abraham said there was nothing unusual in utilising money from disaster relief fund for chief minsters helicopter journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur and back on December 26.
The former chief secretary has come out with the clarification in the wake of allegations that the government had misused disaster management fund for the helicopter trip. The officer, while speaking to a regional channel, pointed out that funds had been utilised for the same purpose even in the past.
Abraham said it was on his instructions that additional chief secretary (revenue) P.J. Kurian had issued the order to sanction Rs 8 lakh for the expenses incurred on chief minister’s helicopter trip. The former chief secretary’s decision came as a big relief to Kurian who was targeted not only by the opposition parties but also some of the ruing party leaders for the controversial order.
The former chief secretary pointed out that the chief minister’s meeting with Central team had resulted in the immediate sanction of relief fund from Centre.
He said the state government had 25 per cent share in the disaster relief fund.
On Wedneday, Mr Kurian had informed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the order sanctioning Rs 8 lakh from the disaster relief fund was issued on the instructions of the then chief secretary K.M. Abraham.
Sources said Kurian spoke to Pinarayi Vijayan over phone and explained his position. The revenue secretary informed that Abraham had also handed over the letter from State Police Chief for arranging helicopter. Subsequently, he had issued the order to sanction the amount from the chief minister’s disaster relief fund.
