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Tainted top cop appointed Kerala MarketFed chief
In a controversial move, Congress-led UDF Government has appointed 'tainted' IPS officer Tomin Thachankery, who was suspended from service earlier for unauthorised foreign tour and had faced an NIA probe for alleged links with terror men abroad, as managing director of Government-owned Kerala State Cooperative Marketing Federation (MarketFed).
The Government took this decision despite several probes the IPS officer had been facing. The Chandy Government had reinstated Thachankery, who was Inspector General (North Kerala) when he was suspended in April 2010 in service in July last on the ground that NIA had not objected to this.
The Chandy Government had justified the reinstatement in service of Thachankery, known to be close to the Congress party and also to the official neo-liberalist leadership of the CPI(M), saying that this had to be done as there was no reason to extend his suspension. The top cop had undergone three suspensions since April 2010.
Though he was re-instated four months ago, Thachankery had not been given any post so far. Sources in the Government said the Department of Finance had objected to paying salary to the official who was doing no work. Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose had the other day recommended promotion of Thachankery as Additional DGP. Thachankery was suspended in April 2010 on then CM VS Achuthanandan's order for visiting the Gulf without the permission of the State Government and also by misleading it.
As a probe in this regard was progressing, the NIA initiated an investigation against him on the basis of a report that he had held negotiations with some Kerala terror men in Qatar.
The Opposition has already come out with allegations that the Government is continuing to help officials facing allegations of corruption and Vigilance investigations in the police and other departments. The Government had the other day appointed S Pulikesi, despite the serious allegations against him, as Commandant General of the Fire Force.
Chief Minister Chandy justified the appointment of Thachankery on Friday by saying, "The Government cannot keep an official away from service just because there are allegations against him." He said that the appointment was absolutely legal and that "The Government had consulted the NIA also before taking the decision."
Objections to Thachankery's appointment have come not only from the critics outside the ruling coalition but from the Congress itself. Senior Congress leader VM Sudheeran said it was improper to give posting to officials facing allegations and actions.
