The Kerala Home Department has directed the state to reopen a Vigilance investigation into alleged corruption in a road-related project from 2006. During that period, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar served as secretary of the state Public Works Department (PWD). The case has been reopened after Kerala's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala directed a probe following the suicide of a Malaysian engineer, Lee See Been, who was then chief project manager of a major road work undertaken by PATI-BEL, an Indo-Malaysian venture, in the state. After the Malaysian engineer's death, Kumar’s name had reportedly surfaced in the suicide note. Lee See Been alleged that Gyanesh Kumar, while serving as the secretary of the state PWD, demanded a bribe for clearing payment for the work. The road project, named Kerala State Transport Project (KSTR), was funded by the World Bank. Chennithala confirmed on Sunday (October 4) that he had received a complaint that the Vigilance probe conducted in 2006 was compromised after external compulsion. “I have directed the Vigilance to probe into the matter thoroughly. Gyanesh Kumar’s name had figured in the suicide note of the Malaysian engineer. He had clearly mentioned Kumar’s name in his suicide note addressed to his wife as well as the company director.” He said, “Vigilance had examined the matter in 2006. However, the probe did not go ahead, although Kumar was transferred out of the PWD. Now, I have got a complaint from Congress leader Malayankeezhu Gopalakrishan regarding the issue. I had discussed the matter with Chief Minister V D Satheesan and decided to order a comprehensive probe in this regard."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gurugram-techie-dies-by-suicide-in-noida-amid-debt-and-financial-distress-say-police-1791103708066">Gurugram techie dies by suicide in Noida amid debt and financial distress, say police</a><h3>Gyanesh Kumar transferred to Delhi under UPA-1 administration</h3>Chennithala further claimed that Gyanesh Kumar's transfer to Delhi on central deputation from the PWD was never returned to the state cadre. “The Vigilance will conduct a comprehensive probe and will take all legal steps. The probe held in 2006 was abandoned midway. Based on the fresh complaint, it will be resumed. Vigilance is capable of taking the probe ahead after two decades. When I get a complaint as the minister in charge of the Vigilance, I am duty-bound to order a probe,’’ he added. PATI-BEL had taken on the task of renovating several major road stretches in the state, with the project valued at Rs 216 crore. However, construction on the designated roads fell behind schedule between 2001 and 2006, reportedly due to delays in acquiring the necessary land—placing considerable strain on both PATI-BEL and project engineer Been. Just a month after Been died in November 2006, the then CPI(M) government transferred Kumar out of the PWD. He later served in the Defence Ministry under the UPA-1 administration.

After the Malaysian engineer's death, Kumar’s name had reportedly surfaced in the suicide note. Lee See Been alleged that Gyanesh Kumar, while serving as the secretary of the state PWD, demanded a bribe for clearing payment for the work.

The Kerala Home Department has directed the state to reopen a Vigilance investigation into alleged corruption in a road-related project from 2006. During that period, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar served as secretary of the state Public Works Department (PWD). The case has been reopened after Kerala's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala directed a probe following the suicide of a Malaysian engineer, Lee See Been, who was then chief project manager of a major road work undertaken by PATI-BEL, an Indo-Malaysian venture, in the state. After the Malaysian engineer's death, Kumar’s name had reportedly surfaced in the suicide note. Lee See Been alleged that Gyanesh Kumar, while serving as the secretary of the state PWD, demanded a bribe for clearing payment for the work. The road project, named Kerala State Transport Project (KSTR), was funded by the World Bank. Chennithala confirmed on Sunday (October 4) that he had received a complaint that the Vigilance probe conducted in 2006 was compromised after external compulsion. “I have directed the Vigilance to probe into the matter thoroughly. Gyanesh Kumar’s name had figured in the suicide note of the Malaysian engineer. He had clearly mentioned Kumar’s name in his suicide note addressed to his wife as well as the company director.” He said, “Vigilance had examined the matter in 2006. However, the probe did not go ahead, although Kumar was transferred out of the PWD. Now, I have got a complaint from Congress leader Malayankeezhu Gopalakrishan regarding the issue. I had discussed the matter with Chief Minister V D Satheesan and decided to order a comprehensive probe in this regard." Also read: Gurugram techie dies by suicide in Noida amid debt and financial distress, say police Gyanesh Kumar transferred to Delhi under UPA-1 administration Chennithala further claimed that Gyanesh Kumar's transfer to Delhi on central deputation from the PWD was never returned to the state cadre. “The Vigilance will conduct a comprehensive probe and will take all legal steps. The probe held in 2006 was abandoned midway. Based on the fresh complaint, it will be resumed. Vigilance is capable of taking the probe ahead after two decades. When I get a complaint as the minister in charge of the Vigilance, I am duty-bound to order a probe,’’ he added. PATI-BEL had taken on the task of renovating several major road stretches in the state, with the project valued at Rs 216 crore. However, construction on the designated roads fell behind schedule between 2001 and 2006, reportedly due to delays in acquiring the necessary land—placing considerable strain on both PATI-BEL and project engineer Been. Just a month after Been died in November 2006, the then CPI(M) government transferred Kumar out of the PWD. He later served in the Defence Ministry under the UPA-1 administration.

After the Malaysian engineer's death, Kumar’s name had reportedly surfaced in the suicide note. Lee See Been alleged that Gyanesh Kumar, while serving as the secretary of the state PWD, demanded a bribe for clearing payment for the work.

Kerala reopens 2006 vigilance probe into engineer's suicide note naming CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Kerala home minister Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday said chief minister C Joseph Vijay has accepted his invitation to visit Kerala and share the stage with actor Mohanlal at a major anti-drug awareness event.
Chennithala met Vijay at secretariat to discuss about 'Operation Toofan'.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chennithala said, "Our brand ambassador is Mohanlal. So Mohanlal and Vijay will be together in Kerala for a big function. Both of them acted in one film, 'Jilla'."

Tamil Nadu CM To Attend Mega Event With Actor Mohanlal in Kerala

Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday wrote to former president Pranab Mukherjee requesting him to refrain from attending RSS event on June 7.

Chennithala said that he has been associated with the former <a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjee-accepts-rss-invite-to-address-workers-in-nagpur-140462">president for many years</a>.

"I have been associated with him for many years, I am very concerned and surprised by his decision. RSS is always trying to divide the society," news agency ANI reported quoting&nbsp;Chennithala.&nbsp;

The former president kicked up a controversy recently after he accepted an invitation to address the newly-recruited RSS workers on June 7 in Nagpur.

The former president will be the chief guest at the valedictory session of the "Tritiya Varsh Varg" or the Third Year Course organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in June this year.

The Sangh leadership invites eminent people for the annual event held at its headquarters at Reshim Bagh in Nagpur.

Earlier this year, Mukherjee had also invited top Sangh leaders at the launch of the Pranab Mukherjee Foundation here.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had also called on Pranab Mukherjee during the last days of his tenure as President.

Pranab Mukherjee had also invited RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for lunch at Rashtrapati Bhavan.&nbsp;

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Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala wrote to former pres Pranab Mukherjee requesting him to refrain from attending RSS event on June 7, says, "I have been associated with him for many yrs, I am very concerned &surprised by his decision. RSS is always trying to divide the society." <a href="https://t.co/OSlQs69gPI">pic.twitter.com/OSlQs69gPI</a>
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The former president kicked up a controversy recently after he accepted an invitation to address the newly-recruited RSS workers on June 7 in Nagpur.

Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday wrote to former president Pranab Mukherjee requesting him to refrain from attending RSS event on June 7. Chennithala said that he has been associated with the former president for many years. "I have been associated with him for many years, I am very concerned and surprised by his decision. RSS is always trying to divide the society," news agency ANI reported quoting Chennithala. The former president kicked up a controversy recently after he accepted an invitation to address the newly-recruited RSS workers on June 7 in Nagpur. The former president will be the chief guest at the valedictory session of the "Tritiya Varsh Varg" or the Third Year Course organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in June this year. The Sangh leadership invites eminent people for the annual event held at its headquarters at Reshim Bagh in Nagpur. Earlier this year, Mukherjee had also invited top Sangh leaders at the launch of the Pranab Mukherjee Foundation here. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had also called on Pranab Mukherjee during the last days of his tenure as President. Pranab Mukherjee had also invited RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for lunch at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala wrote to former pres Pranab Mukherjee requesting him to refrain from attending RSS event on June 7, says, "I have been associated with him for many yrs, I am very concerned &surprised by his decision. RSS is always trying to divide the society." pic.twitter.com/OSlQs69gPI — ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2018 ×

Congress leader urges Pranab Mukherjee not to attend RSS event

The Congress-led UDF in Kerala on Sunday attacked the Centre and said that frequent hike in prices of petroleum products was because the BJP-led government at the Centre was allegedly colluding with oil companies to 'help' them make 'unfair' profits.

The price of petrol and diesel had reached a record high in the country, PTI quoted Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala as saying.&nbsp

The price of petrol in the state capital was Rs 80 per litre and diesel Rs 73 per litre, he added.

The Leader of the Opposition in the assembly criticised the CPI(M)-led LDF government in the state, saying it was not doing anything to alleviate the sufferings of the people due to the frequent hike in the prices of fuel.

When the UDF was in power, it kept a check on the price of petroleum products by doing away with the additional tax, he added.&nbsp

The Leader of the Opposition in the assembly criticised the CPI(M)-led LDF government in the state, saying it was not doing anything to alleviate the sufferings of the people due to the frequent hike in the prices of fuel.

The Congress-led UDF in Kerala on Sunday attacked the Centre and said that frequent hike in prices of petroleum products was because the BJP-led government at the Centre was allegedly colluding with oil companies to 'help' them make 'unfair' profits. The price of petrol and diesel had reached a record high in the country, PTI quoted Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala as saying. The price of petrol in the state capital was Rs 80 per litre and diesel Rs 73 per litre, he added. The Leader of the Opposition in the assembly criticised the CPI(M)-led LDF government in the state, saying it was not doing anything to alleviate the sufferings of the people due to the frequent hike in the prices of fuel. When the UDF was in power, it kept a check on the price of petroleum products by doing away with the additional tax, he added.

Centre colluding with oil companies to 'help' them make 'unfair' profits: UDF

The Kerala government is thinking of formulating a new law to protect people who lend a helping hand to road accident victims, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today.

Strict instructions have been given to police asking them to ensure that those helping the victims are not put to any difficulty, Vijayan told the state assembly.

Instructions have also been given to investigators against enlisting them as witnesses to be examined if they are not eye-witnesses to the accident, he said.

Fear of litigation and legal consequences often prevent people from helping accident victims, he said.

The chief minister was replying to a submission raised by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on increasing road accidents and the plight of &#39;good samaritans&#39; who rush to help victims but later find themselves entangled in legal issues.

&quot;As per the 2016 Supreme Court verdict in this regard, those who extend help to road accident victims will not have to face any legal liabilities,&quot; Vijayan said.

&quot;In this backdrop, the government will consider framing necessary laws to protect those who engage in life-saving activities and trauma care during the time of accidents and check any kind of difficulties caused to them from the side of authorities,&quot; Vijayan said.

The LDF government has already made arrangements to provide free treatment to accident victims during the first 48 hours in both public and private hospitals in the state, he said.

The government would also set up an e-network of ambulances to ensure immediate trauma care for road accident victims.

&quot;The state police is setting up a group of voluntary activists under the title SOFT (Save Our Fellow Travellers) to provide immediate medical assistance for accident victims,&quot; the chief minister added.&nbsp;

The Kerala government is thinking of formulating a new law to protect people who lend a helping hand to road accident victims, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said

The Kerala government is thinking of formulating a new law to protect people who lend a helping hand to road accident victims, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today. Strict instructions have been given to police asking them to ensure that those helping the victims are not put to any difficulty, Vijayan told the state assembly. Instructions have also been given to investigators against enlisting them as witnesses to be examined if they are not eye-witnesses to the accident, he said. Fear of litigation and legal consequences often prevent people from helping accident victims, he said. The chief minister was replying to a submission raised by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on increasing road accidents and the plight of 'good samaritans' who rush to help victims but later find themselves entangled in legal issues. "As per the 2016 Supreme Court verdict in this regard, those who extend help to road accident victims will not have to face any legal liabilities," Vijayan said. "In this backdrop, the government will consider framing necessary laws to protect those who engage in life-saving activities and trauma care during the time of accidents and check any kind of difficulties caused to them from the side of authorities," Vijayan said. The LDF government has already made arrangements to provide free treatment to accident victims during the first 48 hours in both public and private hospitals in the state, he said. The government would also set up an e-network of ambulances to ensure immediate trauma care for road accident victims. "The state police is setting up a group of voluntary activists under the title SOFT (Save Our Fellow Travellers) to provide immediate medical assistance for accident victims," the chief minister added.

Kerala to protect 'good samaritans' helping accident victims