T’puram: CM V D Satheesan said his govt will not take a decision on the case alleging ADGP M R Ajith Kumar’s interference in altering a report on the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers in 2013 by security personnel of ex-CM Pinarayi Vijayan until the state police chief submits a report. After Wednesday’s cabinet meet, he said govt is yet to get SIT’s report. The home minister and I can take a decision only after the police chief submits his findings. No action can be taken based on media reports and bypassing due procedures will not stand judicial scrutiny. Govt will act after completing the due process, he added.New mechanism: The cabinet approved a new mechanism to improve coordination among departments in Secretariat and quicken file disposal. Govt will move towards a data-driven governance model under which departments, the CMO and the chief secretary’s office can monitor the status of files and projects in real time. Govt will introduce project mapping and project protocol systems to track projects across departments and ensure their timely completion. The cabinet also decided to forward Kerala’s nominations for Padma awards (2027) to the Union home ministry.Govt pleaders: Responding to the row over the appointment of govt pleaders, the CM said the two advocates facing criticism were among the names recommended by Indian Lawyers Congress’ state committee. He said govt had scrutinized the background of shortlisted candidates before making the appointments in consultation with the advocate general. He said the increase in the number of govt pleaders was based on the recommendations of the advocate general and the director general of prosecution owing to a rise in litigation.Wayanad rescue: Satheesan said the cabinet appreciated ministers A P Anilkumar and T Siddique, district administration and officials for coordinating rescue, relief and rehabilitation after the landslip in Wayanad. He said govt had arranged transportation of the bodies, accommodated relatives of the victims, relocated residents from affected area, facilitated additional compensation from the company and ensured insurance payouts.Faith is personal: Satheesan also clarified that govt had not revived Aranmula airport project. Rejecting allegations that he was pursuing ‘soft Hindutva’, he said he had been visiting Mookambika temple for 39 years and such personal visits cannot be given political colour. Responding to criticism over meeting Hindu Aikya Vedi leaders, he said they had sought an appointment to submit a memorandum and he was duty-bound as the CM to meet people from all sections of society. Satheesan said he had returned NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair’s call during budget preparations and agreed to meet him.
