Thiruvananthapuram/Kozhikode: Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran on Wednesday requested Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to remove Transport Commissioner Tomin Thachankary from the post for not discussing major policy decisions with him.
The minister made the request even as Mr Thachankary expressed regrets over his birthday celebrations in the presence of the minister at a function held in Kozhikode.
The NCP to which the minister belongs had asked him to seek the removal of Mr Thachankary. NCP state president Uzhavoor Vijayan said that the demand was reasonable and that it was for the cabinet to take a final call on the issue. The next cabinet meeting is likely to consider it.
The minister told the chief minister that Mr Thachankary was taking major decisions on his own. He cited the order on making helmet mandatory for supplying petrol. He also expressed displeasure over the birthday celebrations of Mr Thachankary in the RTO offices of the state which had triggered a controversy.
The minister had earlier asked Chief Secretary S. M. Vijayanand to inquire into the circular directing officials to celebrate Mr Thachankary’s birthday in all RTO offices.
Mr Thachankary apologised to the minister while speaking at the district-level launch of the road safety awareness campaign in Kozhikode.
According to Mr Thachankary, he distributed sweets using his money with good intentions, but respected the suggestion of the transport minister and the chief minister, who indicated it was inappropriate and could have been avoided. “They have also told me that my actions would be misinterpreted by the people. Hence, I respect their words and express regrets,” he said.
He also pointed out that the move to provide petrol only to helmet-wearing two-wheeler riders had create a good impact in urban areas. This will be expanded to rural areas also, he said.
