Kollam: Following the path of E.P. Jayarajan, fisheries minister Mercykkutty Amma has courted fresh controversy over placements in Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC), Kerala State Cashew Workers Apex Industrial Cooperative Society (Capex), and Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd. (Matsyafed). Cashew Corporation MD T.F. Xavier is her close relative while Capex MD R. Rajesh and and Matsyafed MD Lawrence Harold are her close acquaintances.
Mr Xavier was earlier with the economic offences wing of the Crime Branch CID. She drafted in Mr Harold when she headed the federation during the previous LDF government. She promoted him as its MD soon after she took charge. R. Rajesh was appointed as the Capex MD during the tenure of B. Thulaseedhara Kurup, her husband, as its chairman in 2010.
He is also facing vigilance probe in corruption in the purchase of raw cashew for factories under the Capex in November 2010. Ms Mercykutty Amma got the additional charge of cashew considering her experience in organising and working with the employees in the sector under the CITU. This has now allegedly been used for nepotism in the postings at the helm of both the PSUs in the industry.
