Palmolein case: Chandy knew, feels the Court

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sixteen years ago, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had claimed that he knew everything about the palmoelin import deal.The statements of I Somarajan, former additional secretary and N V Madhavan, former Finance Secretary, indict Chandy in the case. While Somarajan, who was Under-Secretary, Dept of Food and Civil Supplies, at the time of the deal, told the vigilance that along with the Chief Minister and Food Minister, the Finance Minister was also asked to take a decision on two matters whether palmolein could be imported choosing Power and Energy Pvt Ltd as an agent and whether 15% service charge could be given to the said agent."It was not a Cabinet note. On November 27, 1991, the then Fiance Minister saw the aforesaid note prepared by the 4th accused (Zacharia Mathew). “However, he didn’t write any contra opinion on the note,” reads the court order.The judge has stated that Chandy had approved the import of palmolein through Power and Energy Ltd by paying 15% service charge and it was evident from his signature in the note.The court notes that N V Madhavan had told the vigilance officials that he saw the file that carried the notes of irregularities in the import.The judge said that Chandy was fully aware that the service charge of  15% hadn’t been negotiated at all.