ANI
24 Feb 2021, 02:25 GMT+10
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], February 24 (ANI): As the contract entered by the Kerala government with a US firm for deep-sea fishing and allied activities landed in a controversy, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan revealed that the Centre had informed Kerala Government that "the firm was registered in the US but such agency doesn't exist in the commercial sector, which they claim to be."The revelation comes a day after the Kerala Government cancelled the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between State-owned Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) with the US-based EMCC International for a deep-sea fishing project of Rs 2,950 crore that includes building trawlers, development of harbour and port development activities.
"For the state government to enter into MoU with a foreign entity, it needs to take the approval of the Government of India. Kerala govt had written to MEA Joint Secretary on 3 Oct 19 to find out about the agency with which they were planning to enter into the agreement. The Joint Secretary wrote to the Counsel General of India in New York and a copy of that was marked to the Kerala Government as sort of a reply. Counsel General replied on 21st Oct that they've been trying to find out about this agency but haven't been able to get in touch with them," Muraleedharan told ANI detailing the turn of events.
He said that the communication sent to the Kerala government also indicated that the address is not of a building where such a firm exists.
"It's only a place which people hire for temporary requirements. The firm was registered in the US but such an agency doesn't exist in the commercial sector which they claim to be. This is what was informed," he said.
Further, Muraleedharan said that in spite of getting to know the facts, after four months Kerala Government signed the MoU which point to "ulterior motives".
"It's unbelievable that senior officers of the Government of Kerala didn't bring it to the notice of minister. It means that the Kerala government pretended that they're going on a real MoU despite the fact that they had received a communication that this is not an agency with which they can do business. So I doubt if there is some ulterior motive involved," he added.
The reaction of the Minister comes after the leader of opposition of Kerala assembly Ramesh Chennithala who alleged corruption charges in the deal distributed to media persons a letter by state principal secretary KR Jyothilal addressed to the joint secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, to verify the credentials of the EMCC International, the US-based firm.
In the official letter sent to the Ministry of External Affairs it is mentioned that the company was interested in innovative technology development for deep sea fishing in Kerala and that the US firm has submitted a concept note to the Kerala government. (ANI)Get a daily dose of International Travel News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to International Travel News.
More InformationMILAN, Italy: Italian regulators have flagged four non-EU countries—including Russia—as carrying systemic financial risk for domestic...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: With just weeks to spare before a potential government default, U.S. lawmakers passed a sweeping tax and spending...
PARIS, France: Fast-fashion giant Shein has been fined 40 million euros by France's antitrust authority over deceptive discount practices...
PALO ALTO/TEL AVIV: The battle for top AI talent has claimed another high-profile casualty—this time at Safe Superintelligence (SSI),...
FRANKLIN, Tennessee: Hundreds of thousands of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are being recalled across the United States due to a potential...
REDMOND, Washington: Microsoft is the latest tech giant to announce significant job cuts, as the financial strain of building next-generation...
KABUL, Afghanistan: Afghanistan, long associated with war and instability, is quietly trying to rebrand itself as a destination for...
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): A grand jungle safari project coming up in the Aravalli Hills is going to redefine Haryana's identity....
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 6 (ANI): British F-35B fighter jet, stuck at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for...
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 6 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday urged the Central...
Dehradun (Uttarakhand)[India], July 6(ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday conducted an aerial survey of...
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 6 (ANI): Union Minister Piyush Goyal enjoyed a 'shikara' ride on Dal Lake during his visit...