Harrison Issue: Kerala to take up strongly with Centre Govt

The State government, which has already initiated proceedings against Harrisons Malayalam Ltd (HML), has decided to seriously take up with the Ministry of Corporate affairs, Ministry of Company Affairs, Enforcement Directorate and other Central Financial Institutions all the issues, including the alleged siphoning of money from the country, violation of FERA and amalgamation of HML with its other companies.

Revenue Secretary Sathyajeeth Rajan will meet the officials of Ministry of Corporate affairs, Ministry of Company Affairs, Enforcement Directorate and other Central Financial Institutions and present the State's case before them.

It is learned that the State government had decided to strongly present its views after the Centre had not taken any serious decision with regard to the issues raised. The Centre had not responded to the State's demand for a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged diversion of funds by the company from the country to Ghana, which amounted to violation of FERA.

The revenue secretary is also known to take up with the ministry of Corporate Affairs the stand it had taken with respect to the amalgamation of HML and its other companies. The Ministry had submitted before the High Court that it will not object to the composite scheme of amalgamation, which had raised a controversy with the state government stating that its views were not sought before the Ministry gave the report.

Moreover, the state government is yet to get a response about reports of availing tea subsidies by the company from the Tea Board by producing alleged fake sketches and documents. The government had already written to the various Ministries about the company availing tea subsidies after the vigilance department is learned to have raised doubts about it.

Source: The Newindian Express

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