By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : The Congress led opposition Thursday accused some ministers in the Achuthanandan cabinet of involvement in transport of illicit liquor using vehicles meant to carry cement.
Without naming the ministers, the opposition claimed that over Rs.10 billion worth of illicit liquor has been spirited away using green channel facility which exempts vehicles carrying goods from Malabar Cements, a public sector unit, from being examined at check posts. The facility was introduced a year back.
The opposition walked out of the house as their plea for admitting an adjournment motion on the issue was turned down.
A month back government officials seized a lorry that had the papers to carry cement from Malabar Cements in Palakkad to a dealer in north Kerala. On examination, it was found that instead of cement, the lorry was transporting 7,808 litres of spirit.
“Ever since the green channel facility began a year back, close to 20,000 loads have passed through the check post (near the cement factory) and over Rs.10 billion worth of spirit has been carried away.
“Only a CBI inquiry would reveal the truth,” Congress legislator C.P. Mohammed said while seeking permission to move the adjournment motion.
Mohammed charged that this has happened with the knowledge of relatives of ministers and that the ministers were to be blamed.
Before leading the walkout, leader of the opposition in the assembly Oommen Chandy said even a month after the incident took place, “you have been unable to find the real culprits behind it.
“You are protecting the liquor mafia who are having a free run. This case will also go the same way like two other cases where illicit stuff was seized from the residence of two of your leaders. The case will not progress after the first round because you know the consequences,” said Chandy.
Excise Minister P.K. Gurudasan said an inquiry was on and five people have been arrested so far.
“We are aware that there is a racket. Instead of levelling baseless allegations that the relatives of ministers are involved, it would help the case if you can give vital clues and leads,” said Gurudasan.
Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem said a businessman close to the opposition had raked up all these issues.
But Chandy said the same businessman had given an advertisement in the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) party organ when the Achuthanandan government assumed office in May 2006.
“Then you said that it was an oversight. The very same businessman had also given an advertisement during the state CPI-M conference, held recently. Was this also an oversight?” asked Chandy.