The Kerala Cabinet on Thursday approved the comprehensive terms of reference for a judicial inquiry into the solar panel scam.
The judicial commission, to be appointed after the High Court communicates its decision on sparing a sitting judge for the inquiry, will look into the allegations raised in the State Assembly and outside on the scam and related financial dealings. The questions to be probed are whether there is any basis for the allegations, and if in the affirmative, who all are responsible.
To fix responsibility
The commission is also to examine whether the government suffered any financial loss on account of the alleged deals. The terms are that the commission should fix responsibility if there has been avoidable loss.
The terms also specify that the commission should examine whether there has been any default in handling complaints since 2006 in connection with the solar scam and related financial dealings. In case there is default, the responsibility should be fixed.
Briefing the media, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the terms covered all the 33 proposals made by the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF). The terms were broad enough to cover all the allegations.
Asked about the terms not specifying the Chief Minister’s Office, the Chief Minister said the government did not want to be specific. It did not want the probe to be limited to specified areas. Now, any of the issues could be raised before the commission. It was the responsibility of those raising the allegations to adduce proof.Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said the investigation team probing the scam had not questioned him but had only taken a statement under Section 161 of Code of Criminal Procedure.
