BackKerala fisheries minister Mercykutty Amma accused of corruption, faces probe
Kerala's vigilance and anti-corruption department orders a 'quick verification probe' against J. Mercykutty Amma over charges of corruption
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Bengaluru: The vigilance and anti-corruption department in Kerala on Monday ordered a “quick verification probe" against fisheries and cashew industries minister J. Mercykutty Amma over charges of corruption.
Quick verification is sort of a speedy investigation to decide whether to book someone in a corruption case or not.
The order is based on a complaint where the minister is accused of having been associated with alleged corruption to the tune of Rs10 crore in relation to the import of raw cashew to a public sector unit last year.
The charge was first raised by Congress leader V.D. Satheesan in Kerala assembly last year. He had alleged that a public sector unit under the minister imported sub-standard cashew from a company, rejecting bids at lower rates from another company.
The minister has rejected the allegation, while chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said in the assembly that the matter did not merit a vigilance probe.
The development comes months after another minister, E.P. Jayarajan quit as the industries minister following corruption and nepotism allegations, although it was hailed by many as a pro-active step by the ruling dispensation.
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