VACB seeks nod to probe Sivasankar

Thiruvananthapuram: The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau has stepped in to conduct a probe against IAS officer M Sivasankar, on the basis of complaints, including by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala.
ADGP (vigilance) Anilkant has sought government’s permission to conduct a probe against Sivasankar for the out-of-the way appointments in IT department and multiple consultancy agreements. The probe will require government’s permission as per the amended Prevention of Corruption Act.
Once vigilance probe is initiated, inquiries by five different agencies and establishments —National Investigation Agency, customs, vigilance and anti-corruption bureau, departmental inquiry and financial inspection wing— will be probing the officer’s role in different matters. Several appointments were allegedly made on contract basis when Sivasankar was secretary of IT department as well as chief minister’s office. Days before Sivasankar was removed as IT secretary, government had created 34 posts in Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Ltd (KSITL) alone, including 16 permanent posts and 18 temporary posts, on the officer’s recommendations. tnn