Kozhikode, Nov 6 (UNI) Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Friday alleged that Kerala Assembly Speaker P Sivaramakrishnan was acting beyond his authority and the state government was misusing its official machinery and institutions to protect the vested interests of his political masters.
Addressing the media here, the Opposition leader said there was no authority for the Speaker and the State Legislative Secretariat to issue a breach of privilege notice to the Enforcement Directorate.
The notice issued by the Legislative Secretariat, as instructed by the Speaker, sought an explanation from the ED officials on why the agency wanted documents related to the Life Mission Housing project.
The Legislative Secretariat was acting on a complaint by CPI(M) legislator James Mathew who challenged the authority of the Central Enforcement Agency in seeking details of the Life Mission Housing Project.
Slamming actions being resorted against the ED officials, Mr Chennithala said the state government has no authority to stall investigations by Central Agencies.
The raid by the Enforcement Directorate officials on Binesh Kodiyeri’s residence on Wednesday was in accordance with procedures laid down for similar operations followed by Enforcement Agencies.
The raid was conducted in tune with rules. The ED had proper warrant from the Court for the search and it was nothing but stupidity that the government used its machinery to prevent the raid.
These actions were aimed at torpedoing the ongoing investigations by the various central agencies, he remarked.
Ridiculing the manner in which the State Child Rights Commission members acted against the ED officials, the senior congress leader said the commission did not visit Valayar where two kids were raped and killed.
Such actions are undemocratic and against rule of law prevailing in the country. The investigation by the ED into the alleged financial misappropriation in the Life Mission housing project would in no way tantamount to breach of legislative privileges, he pointed out.
He said such actions by the state government aimed at restricting the businesses of central agencies amounts to challenging the federal system of governance.
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