Thiruvananthapuram, 04 July (H.S.):The CPM has alleged that the transfer of senior IAS officer Divya S. Iyer from her key role in the Vizhinjam International Seaport project was intended to benefit the Adani Group, accusing the newly elected UDF government of weakening safeguards that protected the state's interests.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, CPM Kannur district secretary K.K. Ragesh claimed that Divya S. Iyer had played a crucial role in defending Kerala's interests during the implementation of the Vizhinjam port project. According to him, she consistently resisted attempts by Adani officials to alter provisions of the concession agreement whenever such efforts were made.

Ragesh alleged that Adani officials had long been unhappy with her firm stance and had made repeated attempts to have her removed from the post. However, he claimed that those efforts were unsuccessful during the previous LDF government because then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stood firmly behind the officer and refused to yield to external pressure.

He further alleged that soon after Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan assumed office, Divya S. Iyer was transferred from the project. Ragesh questioned the appointment of her successor, claiming that the new official lacked adequate experience and understanding of port-related matters despite the strategic importance of the Vizhinjam project.

The CPM leader also criticised the government's decision to have the proposed transfer of stake in the project examined by an empowered committee. He argued that the committee comprises senior officials from departments directly under the Chief Minister, reducing the scope for an independent review. Ragesh also pointed out that the Chief Minister currently holds multiple key portfolios, including departments involved in examining the proposal, calling it an unprecedented concentration of authority.

Accusing the UDF government of attempting to facilitate corporate interests at the expense of Kerala's long-term interests, Ragesh said public opposition against Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and his government would intensify if the state's flagship port project was compromised. He, however, did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman