ED writes to chief secretary, seeks information on Life Mission

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the ministry of external affairs sought details from the state government regarding the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UAE Red Crescent Authority, the enforcement directorate (ED) has written to the chief secretary seeking details on the government’s dealings with the NGO for the Life Mission housing project at Wadakkanchery.
The ED had earlier sought the copies of the MoU between the Life Mission and the NGO, minutes of the meetings held in this regard and documents related to the issue of tender, if any.
The ED is probing the gold smuggling case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
The agency is following the money trail after Rs 1 crore in cash was found from the bank locker of one of the key accused in the gold smuggling case, Swapna Suresh.
It was stated that the money was part of a kickback received by her in the Life Mission deal with the UAE-based NGO.
As per the MoU inked between Life Mission and UAE Red Crescent Authority, the authority had pledged funds to the tune of 1 crore Arab Emirates Dirhams (AED) (approximately Rs 20.37 crore) for coming up with an apartment project at Wadakkancherry in Thrissur.
The Centre has sought a few clarifications on the mandatory clearance required from the ministry of external affairs and the ministry of home affairs while accepting aid from a foreign agency, it has been learnt.
Government sources said the state government will give a reply in this regard soon.
The agreement signed between Mohamed Ateeq Al Falahi for the UAE Red Crescent Authority and the CEO of the Life Mission on July 11, 2019, had agreed that the NGO will provide 1 crore Arab Emirates Dirhams (AED) of which 70 lakh AED (Rs 14.26 crore) is to be spent on constructing the houses for flood victims, and the remaining 30 lakh AED (Rs 6.11 crore) on the construction of a health centre to be operated by Life Mission.