THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has initiated an inquiry against Ms Rajashree Ajit, managing director, Kerala Institute of Travel and Tourism Studies, in connection with the irregularities during her tenure as managing director of Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation. Mr. R. Rahul, incumbent managing director of KTDFC, will conduct the inquiry and submit a report in two months. The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had recommended the inquiry as part of disciplinary proceedings against her.
The allegations pertained to engaging two private firms as direct marketing agency of KTDFC for loan verification even as KTDFC has its own special agency for the purpose. A Vigilance probe found that she had appointed the private firms as special agency and fixed the verification charge without the approval of the corporation's governing body. These agencies were also paid Rs. 2.8 lakh as verification charges and Rs. 1.4 lakh as commission for loans canvassed, flouting norms.
A memo of charges was already given to her in this regard and she had also filed a statement of defence denying the allegations. Ms Rajashree also faced a Vigilance case in connection with the misappropriation of Rs. 1.64 crore in KTDFC. She allegedly availed of loans amounting to Rs. 76 lakh in her name as well as her husband's name on the security of a land deed that was already pledged with another nationalised bank and an income tax returns statement of her husband. Loans were also allegedly given to a few others flouting norms and using forged documents.
