Thrissur (Ker): A vigilance probe on Saturday gave a clean chit to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy holding there was no ground to list him as an accused in the palmolein import corruption case in the 1990s when he was finance minister in the then UDF ministry, headed by late Congress veteran K Karunakaran.
The further investigation report submitted to the court by Superintendent of Police,Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau, V N Sasidharan, said there was no evidence at all to include Chandy as an accused in the case.
The facts, evidences and circumstances of the case in the probe showed Chandy had not committed any illegal acts or omissions as the then finance minister, said the report, which was submitted before the Inquiry Commissioner and special judge (vigilance) here.
Though Chandy was never an accused in the case, his name figured following a discharge petition filed by former food minister TH Mustaffa last year. Mustaffa, second accused in the case, had pleaded that justice given to Chandy by not making him an accused in the case should also be given to him (Mustaffa).
Seizing on the development, the previous CPI(M) led-LDF government had filed a petition, seeking a further probe, stating that more persons were likely to become accused.
The long-pending corruption case, in which Karunakaran was first accused, had cost PJ Thomas the post of Central Vigilance Commissioner. Thomas was listed as sixth accused in the case,relating to import of 32,000 tonnes of palmolein from Malaysia, causing a loss of Rs 2.32 crore to the exchequer.
A vigilance judge hearing the case had some months back recused himself from the case after he was accused of political bias by Government chief whip PC George.
The probe report filed on Saturday said materials in the file relating to the import revealed that Chandy as finance minister saw the file for the first and last time only on Nov 27, 1991, just before the cabinet meeting.
It has been a custom that the prime minister inaugurates the event and the president addresses the valedictory session.
President Pratibha Patil will address the closing ceremony of the event on Monday and confer awards on NRIs and PIOs who have excelled in various fields.
Mukherjee will deliver his key note address at the session on `Inclusive Growth: Two Decades of Economic Liberalisation` tomorrow which will be addressed by Transport Minister CP Joshi and Environment Minister Jayanti Natarajan.
Besides discussions on economy and investments, this year`s conference is also expected to deliberate on the ways to engage the young diaspora community in the country`s growth and also creating awareness among them about the rich and diverse culture of India. The theme of this year`s conference is `Global Indian - Inclusive Growth` and over 10 Union ministers including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will address the delegates during which they are expected to throw light on the country`s growth and seek further investments from the diaspora.
Ravi said another main thrust of the event is to find ways and means on how to make the younger generation of Persons of Indian Origin to understand about India.
Besides Union ministers, over 10 chief ministers of various states and Sam Pitroda, Adviser to Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations, will chair several sessions on various topics tomorrow and Monday.
The city is all decked up to welcome the dignitaries and is dotted with banners and posters of the event.
Security has been beefed up across Jaipur and neighbouring areas in view of the visit of President Patil and Prime Minister Singh.
Cultural programmes showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India in general and Rajasthan in particular.
PTI