Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], The Kerala Assembly got off to a stormy start on Monday with opposition Congress and UDF leaders protesting and raising slogans demanding a probe into allegations that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government changed the state's liquor policy. Bribe was taken for amendment. , Due to the uproar, the 11th session of the 15th Legislative Assembly had to be adjourned prematurely.
Opposition MLA Rosy M John moved an adjournment motion seeking discussion on the bribery allegations, while Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan issued a letter demanding a vigilance investigation into the matter under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
A purported voice clip has surfaced in which a bar association official from Idukki district can be heard saying that all bar owners should pay Rs 2.5 lakh each to make changes in the liquor policy and claimed that one-third The amount has been collected.
The UDF has alleged that the Left government has demanded Rs 20 crore from bar owners to make a favorable policy for them and demanded the resignation of Excise Minister MB Rajesh.VD Satheesan said, "Their defense was that they have not initiated changes in the excise policy. But we proved them wrong. There a meeting was organized by the tourism directors whose topic was - "Review of the excise policy." Tourism Tourism What right does the department have to hold a review meeting? The only competent authority is the excise department.,
"It is a strange thing that the Tourism Department invited stakeholders and bar owners for a review meeting. What is the authority of the Tourism Minister? So we demand this transaction and this criminal conspiracy will attract the provision of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 " Added Satheesan.
However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has rejected the opposition's demand in the state assembly and said, "The opposition is trying to prove that there is something when there is nothing. The Excise Minister himself has immediately given a complaint to the DGP. .Whatever is required under this investigation, questioning will be done.
Excise Minister MB Rajesh said that the government has already lodged a complaint with the state police on the video clip that surfaced.
“We have already started investigation within half an hour of this voice clip being uploaded.I have filed a complaint with the state police chief demanding an investigation into the claims that some elements were trying to collect money in the name of liquor policy, for which preliminary discussions have taken place but investigation has not started yet . The government will take action based on the findings of that investigation,” Rajesh said.
Opposition MLA Rosy M John moved an adjournment motion seeking discussion on the bribery allegations, while Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan issued a letter demanding a vigilance investigation into the matter under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
A purported voice clip has surfaced in which a bar association official from Idukki district can be heard saying that all bar owners should pay Rs 2.5 lakh each to make changes in the liquor policy and claimed that one-third The amount has been collected.
The UDF has alleged that the Left government has demanded Rs 20 crore from bar owners to make a favorable policy for them and demanded the resignation of Excise Minister MB Rajesh.VD Satheesan said, "Their defense was that they have not initiated changes in the excise policy. But we proved them wrong. There a meeting was organized by the tourism directors whose topic was - "Review of the excise policy." Tourism Tourism What right does the department have to hold a review meeting? The only competent authority is the excise department.,
"It is a strange thing that the Tourism Department invited stakeholders and bar owners for a review meeting. What is the authority of the Tourism Minister? So we demand this transaction and this criminal conspiracy will attract the provision of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 " Added Satheesan.
However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has rejected the opposition's demand in the state assembly and said, "The opposition is trying to prove that there is something when there is nothing. The Excise Minister himself has immediately given a complaint to the DGP. .Whatever is required under this investigation, questioning will be done.
Excise Minister MB Rajesh said that the government has already lodged a complaint with the state police on the video clip that surfaced.
“We have already started investigation within half an hour of this voice clip being uploaded.I have filed a complaint with the state police chief demanding an investigation into the claims that some elements were trying to collect money in the name of liquor policy, for which preliminary discussions have taken place but investigation has not started yet . The government will take action based on the findings of that investigation,” Rajesh said.
