Kerala - Alappuzha   

Minister seeks probe into closure of Maveli Store

ALAPPUZHA: Coir and Cooperation Minister G. Sudhakaran has sought a probe in to why the Maveli Store in Kainakary here was remaining closed for the last six months, in spite of that being the only outlet for reasonably priced rice in the water-logged region.

Speaking at a review meeting at the District Collectorate on Sunday, Mr. Sudhakaran said he was forced to criticise District Collector V.K. Balakrishnan, who was reportedly yet to take any steps to open the outlet even after the Minister had asked him to use his powers as Collector and district magistrate.

The Kainakary panchayat was maintaining an “inexplicable silence” on the closure of the store, which was reportedly due to differences between the panchayat and the Civil Supplies department.

With no Civil Supplies official turning up for the review meeting on Sunday, the Minister said he suspected a conspiracy to help private rice traders in the region.

With the closure of the store in May this year, people were forced to buy rice from private dealers at over Rs.24 per kg, when the price at the store was only Rs.16, he said, adding that the store was being run by a person who was earlier nabbed by the police for impersonating as Mr. Sudhakaran’s personal assistant.

“I suspect shady deals behind this,” he said, calling for a probe into the entire issue and for opening the store in another two weeks.

Earlier, the Minister criticised the contractor of the Thakazhi Bridge for failing to ensure that the sides of the approach road to the bridge were constructed in the proper manner.

Both sides were elevated using only mud, which had led to the sinking of the road.

This was when the Minister himself had suggested several times that the road be elevated using stones or concrete.

“The opening of the bridge, as a result of the contractor’s folly, has to be postponed to September instead of August 16 as was scheduled,” he said, asking PWD officials to complete the work at the earliest.

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