Kerala govt, Oppn trade barbs over draft CAG report on KIIFB

 Kerala's ruling CPI(M) and opposition on Sunday continued to tre barbs over draft CAG report on KIIFB, with Finance Minister Thomas Isaac terming unpublished document as "absurd" and senior Congress leer Ramesh Chennithala alleging corruption in some of board-funded government projects.

Attacking CAG over draft report, which said KIIFB was raising loans "unconstitutionally," Isaac, who is also a senior CPI(M) leer alleged that this was for first time since formation of board in 1999, government auditor is saying that taking loan through KIIFB is against principles of Constitution.

With several projects of state government including KFONE coming under scanner of central ncies including Enforcement Directorate following probe into Kerala gold smuggling case, CPI(M) sees red in draft CAG report, prompting Isaac to cast doubts over its intention.He alleged that certain contents of draft report were "politically motivated".

"It is thing but absurdity that is featured in (CAG) report," Isaac told reporters here.

He said absurdity in report will be discussed in public.

minister said state Finance Department is preparing a detailed reply that runs to over 100 ps for providing to Comptroller and Audit General(CAG) .

He rejected allegations levelled by Leer of Opposition in state Assembly, Ramesh Chennithala that re was corruption in some of government projects utilising Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) fund.

Describing as "baseless" Congress leer's charge, Isaac said he did t provide details of alleged corruption and people allegedly involved in it.

"re are KIIFB projects in constituency of Leer of Opposition. Is re any corruption in such projects?", he asked.

Chennithala charged Finance Minister with trying to divert people's attention from gold smuggling case and case against son of CPI(M) leer Kodiyeri Balakrishnan by raking up unnecessary issues.He also alleged corruption in some of KIIFB funded projects in state. Finance Minister said LDF government h taken loan from KIIFB soon after it was formed in 1999. Congress-led UDF government h also availed loan from KIIFB during ir tenure in years 2002 and 2003.

"n one h said it was anti-constitutional," he said.

Responding to BJP state chief K Surendran's allegations that Kerala gold smuggling h links with many projects state government utilising funds from KIIFB, Isaac also said Kerala will t surrender to BJP's "bugbear".Accusing BJP of 'using' central ncies like ED for political purposes, Isaac alleged that saffron party is thinking that constitutional body like CAG can also be used same way.

"That will t work here", he said.

Earlier, talking to reporters in Kozhikode, Surendran alleged that KIIFB projects were t transparent and sought a detailed probe into corruption in project based on findings of CAG.dressing media in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, Isaac h dismissed findings, saying that state government will t allow Comptroller and Audit General (CAG) to destroy KIIFB, primary ncy of state government for financing large and critical infrastructure projects in state.

Pointing out that KIIFB was a corporate body and like any or such institutions, he h said it h right to raise loans as per existing rules.

Corporate bodies of central government have also availed such loans, he h claimed.