Thiruvananthapuram: Agriculture minister V. S. Sunil Kumar has zeroed in on Dr Ranjan S. Karippai, former head of Thrissur Krishi Vigyan Kendra, to replace M. Suresh Kumar, who was suspended two weeks back, as managing director of Horticorp. The government order on Mr Karipai’s appointment is expected in the next few days. He had recently retired from Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, in Thrissur and had actively taken part in Mr Kumar’s election campaign.
Government sources told DC that Mr Karippai is known to be a competent and efficient officer who can bring back the lost image of Horticorp. Meanwhile, Dr K. Prathapan, director of State Horticultural Mission, has been recalled by the KAU. He was working on deputation for nine years.
DC had reported on Wednesday that animal husbandry officials were peeved at the way in which Mr Prathapan had been given two additional charges as managing director of Kerala Feeds Ltd and CMD of Meat Products of India Ltd, though he does not have the required qualifications in either meat processing or marketing.
“Mr Karippai will soon be appointed as the MD of Horticorp and is awaiting the clearance that there are no vigilance cases against him. He will also be holding the charge of State Horticultural Mission’s administrative charges which means that Mr Prathapan will have to return to KAU though he is trying to retain his role with KFL,” said a government official.
He said Mr Prathapan had been facing vigilance cases related to vegetable procurement for Horticorp, irregularities in setting up a vegetable outlet at Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat office to the tune of Rs 9.98 lakh and on the central fund allocation through the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
