Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has allayed the fears of government officers who haven’t committed any wrong. “The government will give full protection to honest and upright officers and freedom to function without any fear,” he said at a meet-the-press programme organised at Kesari Memorial Trust as part of Kerala@60 programme. He was replying to a question on the Vigilance probe being ordered against top IAS officers, including Mr K. M. Abraham, on frivolous complaints.
When he was asked about the resentment prevailing among IAS officers over Vigilance harassment, he said the government would not shield the corrupt. But there was no question of harassing honest officials. “Can the government expect a pro-active role of IAS officers in implementing its flagship programmes in such a hostile atmosphere?” “We don’t anticipate any problem in the implementation of important projects, including housing for all, garbage-free Kerala and conversion of district and general hospitals into super-speciality institutions,” he said.
On the row created by CPM leader K. Radhakrishnan by naming the rape victim, he said the party stand had been conveyed by general-secretary Sitaram Yechury. “There is a deliberate attempt to suggest that Radhakrishnan had committed a crime bigger than the actual incident. I think a notice has been issued to him and law will take its course,” he said. Mr Kodiyeri said there was no question of defending Jayanthan, accused of rape, and Zakir Hussain, charged with intimidation. “We have a system in our party to probe such issues. After this process, suitable action will be taken against the wrong-doers,” he said.
