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BJP alleges corruption in Kochi waste dump fire, demands CBI investigation
The massive fire that started on March 2 was controlled by March 14 and the city was filled toxic fumes and gas forcing more than 1400 people to seek medical aid. Later HC had registered a case suo motu and the National Green Tribunal had slapped a fine of ₹100 crore on the Kochi Corporation
Thiruvananthapuram:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday alleged big kickbacks involving relatives of the Left and Congress leaders in botched waste management plan in port city Kochi that led to 12-day-long fire and sought the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into it.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, party in-charge (Prabhari) Prakash Javadekar said “sons-in-law of senior left and Congress leaders” were behind ₹54 crore bio-mining project but no work, machinery or workers were found at the site and it was a big loot and people were forced to bear its terrible consequences.
“It is a monumental corruption being carried out by two sons-in law with the blessing of the state government. CPI(M) leader’s son-in-law Rajesh Pillai’s firm Zonta Infratech was given a contract of ₹54 crore flouting all norms and later he gave a sub-contract to son-in-law of Congress leader N Venugopal. It was a joint venture to loot. Almost 20 days passed since the fire broke out no case was registered against perpetrators of crime. It is a man-made tragedy,” said Javadekar. He said a cover-up operation was on since the CM and others were allegedly aware of the contract.
“When the CM visited Europe he met officials of the parent company of Zonta. Despite two corporations Kannur and Kollam rejected their contract with Zonta, Kochi Corporation was forced to award the contract for bio-mining. Both, contractor and sub-contractor, shared the booty. No machinery or work was found at the site,” he said adding the main contractor allegedly got ₹32 crore and sub-contractor ₹22 crore.
“It is a big scam. A firm with no experience was given the contract and it gave the sub -contract. Who will pay for pain suffered by lakhs of people in the city? Many were forced to leave and the government is behaving as if nothing happened,” he said adding it is really good the high court took up a case suo motu.
“Since leaders’ kin were involved in the scam we feel only a central agency probe can bring out truth. We hope the court will take an appropriate decision,” he said. He said when he was the Union Environmental Minister he brought several schemes under the “Swachh Bharat” scheme but the state was not willing to take them up for reasons best known to it. He asked state leaders to visit cities like Indore in MP to learn effective management of waste.
Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, former Minister K J Alpons and other leaders were present at the briefing held at the party head quarters. CPI(M leaders said they were not aware of what BJP leaders said and they will react only after examining details.
Contacted, CPI(M) leaders declined to comment.
The massive fire that started on March 2 was controlled by March 14 and the city was filled toxic fumes and gas forcing more than 1400 people to seek medical aid. Later HC had registered a case suo motu and the National Green Tribunal had slapped a fine of ₹100 crore on the Kochi Corporation. There was widespread criticism over the way the government handled the fire that lasted for 12 days engulfing the city with toxic smoke. The opposition Congress and BJP alleged ministers visited the spot a week after the incident and effective intervention should have limited damage and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also made a statement in the assembly after 12 days. But the ruling CPI(M) denied it.
