‘People Without Brains Sent Here’: Kerala CPM Leader to Woman IAS Officer


Team Udayavani, Feb 11, 2019, 4:02 AM IST

Idukki: A CPI(M) legislator has courted controversy after he publicly slandered a young woman IAS officer, saying she “lacked brains”, after the official tried to stop an ‘unauthorised’ construction of a shopping complex at Munnar hill station.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, came to light when some television channels aired visuals of Devikulam MLA S Rajendran purportedly making disparaging comments that sub-collector Dr Renu Raj “lacked brains” and has no powers to intervene in the construction as building rules come under the purview of panchayats.

“She doesn’t have brains.. she studied only to become a collector.. such people will have only so much brains. Should she not study the sketch, plans? A collector cannot intervene in a panchayat construction.. This is a democratic country and we as elected representatives should be heard..,” Rajendran is heard saying to a group of people.

Raj, who was appointed as the Devikulam sub-collector in November last year, said a memo had been issued to the panchayat on February 6 to stop the illegal construction.

But the work was still going on, she told PTI. Coming out in her support, Revenue Minister E Chandrasekharan, said, “Understand that the action taken by the sub-collector is right and as per law. When she is taking action as per rules, we need to support her”.

The Kerala High court had in a 2010 verdict said for any new construction in Munnar, a ‘No Objection’ certificate has to be obtained. The four-storey building, built at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore, did not have any permission from authorities, Raj said.

The officer further said she had already informed chief secretary Tom Jose, Revenue Principal Secretary and the District Collector and as per their direction had prepared a written report, which would be forwarded to them along with her complaint.

Meanwhile, Idukki district CPI(M) said it has decided to seek an explanation from the MLA.

Attacking the ruling LDF over the MLA’s outburst against the young IAS officer, KPCC President Mullapally Ramachandran said at a time the CPI(M)-led LDF government was talking about women empowerment, the left party needs to make its stand clear on the remarks of Rajendran against the official.

Reacting to the incident, IUML leader M K Muneer said the Devikulam MLA Rajendran had spoken in an “insulting” manner.

He recalled that IPS officer Chaitra Theresa John had earlier faced the CPI(M) heat when she conducted a search of the party district office at Thiruvananthapuram and now it was the turn of the sub-collector.

Devikulam former Sub-collector Sriram Venkataraman, had also faced political heat in 2017 after he adopted a strong stand against encroachers occupying government land at Munnar and had also brought down a 30-feet metal cross, put up under the garb of spiritual tourism at Papathichola.
 

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

BCCI vs PCB spar on CT venue as Naqvi denies receiving any official note from Indian board

After Yogi’s ‘batenge, katenge’ slogan, PM pitches for unity with ‘Ek hai, toh safe hai’ message

“Coming soon.. 2025”: KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty announce first pregnancy

Mangaluru: Unauthorized bus stops at signals fuel traffic woes and safety concerns

SC notice to Karnataka, DK Shivakumar on CBI plea against withdrawal of consent by state govt

Will remain active in politics till my last breath: JD(S) patriarch & ex-PM Deve Gowda

BJP calls Congress govt ‘laughing stock’ as ‘samosa politics’ heats up in Himachal

Related Articles More

UP women’s body proposes men shouldn’t tailor women’s clothes or cut their hair

After Yogi’s ‘batenge, katenge’ slogan, PM pitches for unity with ‘Ek hai, toh safe hai’ message

Bank fraud: ED seizes jewellery, cash worth over Rs 1 cr in raids against Bhopal-based company, directors

No greater feeling than serving those in need: Outgoing CJI D Y Chandrachud

CJI Chandrachud: A legacy of landmark verdicts that shaped society and some controversy too

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

BCCI vs PCB spar on CT venue as Naqvi denies receiving any official note from Indian board

Use Carnatic music to promote Kannada language: Nirmala Sitharaman

Udupi: Car collides with bike; Rider injured

UP women’s body proposes men shouldn’t tailor women’s clothes or cut their hair

NSE, BSE to be closed on Nov 20 for Maharashtra assembly polls

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.