Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance has initiated a preliminary inquiry against Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran in connection with the alleged irregularity in the appointment of Mr R. Harikumar as director of the Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT). The inquiry commissioner and special court (Vigilance) directed the Vigilance to submit the preliminary inquiry report by March 4.
While the court considered a petition filed by Congress MLA M. Vincent, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau informed that a preliminary inquiry had been already ordered into the allegation on January 20 based on a petition filed by the MLA. Subsequently, the court ordered that the probe should be completed within 42 days and the report should be submitted by March 4. The petitioner alleged that Mr Harikumar was appointed as ANERT director flouting norms.
Mr. Harikumar was facing a probe for financial irregularities in connection with ANERT. The minister took special interest in appointing Mr Harikumar bypassing the norm that a committee led by the chief secretary should select the ANERT director. Moreover, Mr Harikumar did not have the required educational qualification prescribed for ANERT director, the petitioner alleged.
