Kerala: V D Satheesan out to ruin cashew business, says J Mercykutty Amma

Kollam: Cashew Minister J. Mercykutty Amma has accused Congress legislator V.D. Satheesan of trying to sabotage the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) and the Capex. “The allegation was that my husband and I were involved in corruption in the trade of raw cashew associated with these public sector companies," she said citing the Vigilance Court verdict terming it as politically motivated.

"The court considered not only the quick verification report but also the complaint and the associated documents submitted." She said the LDF Government reopened all shut public-sector factories before Onam. "Those who raised the allegations intended to sabotage these moves and hinder procurement of cashew through e-tenders," she added.

On fishermen

She said devices enabling fishers to communicate even 1500 km into the sea would be set up with the aid of ISRO. “They will be satellite-linked. The preliminary round of talks on this was over. It has also been decided to make registration mandatory for fishing boats,” she said. "Some 37,000 craft registered during March – October, which is not surplus for our shore." The traditional fishermen are permitted to fish within 12 nautical miles, which is the limit of the current safety systems, but they go up to 30 to 50 nautical miles. "Ockhi was in the range of 50 nautical miles," she said.

Jacob Thomas

The minister called DGP Jacob Thomas as a hypocrite who will soon be exposed. “He assumes he is and he alone is right. The government had given him an opportunity to correct himself. But he has now dug his own grave,” she said. "The government has nothing to hide, and it would take appropriate legal action."