Thiruvananthapuram: Industries minister A.C. Moideen on Thursday refuted reports that additional chief secretary Paul Antony had offered to quit as industries secretary in the wake of vigilance case against him.
The minister said he had nothing against the official and there was no reason for shifting him at the moment. He denied receiving any resignation letter from the officer.
Vigilance had registered an FIR against Antony along with former industries minister E.P. Jayarajan and P.K. Sreemathy MP’s son P.K. Sudheer in connection with the latter’s appointment as Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) managing director. The appointment was made violating the norms.
Sources said Antony had written to the minister seeking to know what he should do in the wake of vigilance registering an FIR against him in connection with KSIE posting. Since KSIE comes under the industries department, there could be allegations that he would influence the detailed probe that is to begin soon.
In normal course the vigilance seeks the shifting of an officer from the department which is linked to the case. When asked about reports that Antony would be shifted out from industries department, the minister said: “These are mere reports. There is no basis in such reports.”
He also denied any move to shift Antony from the department following his opposition to the manner in which Malabar Cements MD K Padmakumar had been treated.
He said the media had brought out the resentment among IAS officers not in connection with Padmakumar issue but due to the FIR registered in KSIE appointment case. He said there were no differences of opinion with the officer.
