Appointment as Knowledge Kerala project adviser: HC issues notice to former finance minister Thomas Isaac
Kochi: High court has issued notice to former state finance minister
T M Thomas Isaac
and the vice-chairperson of
Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council
in a petition challenging Isaac's appointment as an adviser for the '
Vijnana Keralam
' (
Knowledge Kerala
) project.
A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S Manu directed both respondents to file their replies before the next posting date, May 27. The petitioner alleged that Isaac was appointed as project adviser by a govt order dated Dec 12, 2024, and had agreed to render his services free of charge. However, the order included provisions for allotting Rs 70,000 per month as fuel expenses for the vehicle used by Isaac for official purposes and for paying wages and daily allowances to his driver at rates fixed under state govt contracts. The petitioner, Navas, further alleged that over Rs 1 lakh are being spent monthly on an adviser for a post under an 'imaginary department and project,' resulting in a significant loss to the public exchequer.
Previously, while considering the petition, the division bench enquired into the credentials of the petitioner, removed him, and appointed a lawyer as amicus curiae to assist the court. The amicus curiae filed a detailed report stating that the appointment of Isaac was to a department that does not exist. Since Isaac had not been arrayed as a respondent, HC suo motu impleaded him in the petition and issued notice.
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