Quick verification report against ex-ministers V K EbrahimKunju , P J Joseph

Kochi: The Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has ordered a preliminary inquiry against former ministers V K Ebrahim Kunju and P J Joseph besides eight others in a complaint accusing them of indulging in corruption during the construction of regulator-cum-bridge bridge at Purappillikavu near Kalamassery, Ernakulam. It was following a complaint lodged by social activist Giresh Babu that VACB Director Jacob Thomas ordered the VACB Ernakulam Unit to conduct the probe.

Besides the minister, the complaint had named IAS officers T O Sooraj and V J Kurian, five officials of the Irrigation department and Rajeev C V, Managing Director of Seguro Foundation and Structure Pvt. The complaint alleged that the project has caused a loss of over Rs 100 crore to the government exchequer. The project to construct a permanent regulator at Purapilly Kavu to prevent intrusion of saline water into Periyar river was conceived during the 2006-2011 LDF government regime.

However, upon the UDF ministry assumed power in 2011, several changes were made to the original proposal. The complaint alleged that around Rs 35 crore was diverted from the PWD department and Rs 65 crore arranged as loan from NABARD violating norms. Also “the construction work for the regulator cum bridge was allotted to Seguro Foundation and Structures which was facing VACB probe in the construction of regulator cum bridge at Chamravattam, Malappuram,” it said.