Consumerfed denies corruption charges

Kerala State Co-operative Consumer's Federation Ltd (Consumerfed) officials today denied charges of corruption in functioning of its outlets and said they are ready to face any type of probe.
Recent raids conducted on its outlets and charges of corruption was a well-organised plan with a view to destroying the Federation, which had effectively intervened in the open market to check prices of essential goods particularly during festival seasons, Consumerfed president Joy Thomas and vice president N Sudharshan told reporters here today.
Indicating that the attack against Consumerfed was the reflection of factional feud in Congress, Thomas said "I am an (I) group loyalist and was appointed as President by KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala."

There were allegations from a section of (I) group supporters of Congress that the raids were orchestrated by other faction known as (A) group, loyal to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan is a known supporter of Chandy.
Justifying the recent vigilance raid at 26 'Consumerfed' offices in the state, Radhakrishan had said the Home minister has to tread the path of justice and cannot take sides.
"Some persons asked to do certain "unfair things" which was refused my me. I will reveal more on the issue if I get the permission of KPCC Chief," Thomas added.
According to Vigilance, which conducted the raids, consumer cooperative societies in the past two years procured essential commodities at higher than market rates from 'favoured private suppliers' and, in the process, causing huge loss to the government and 'betrayed' its stated aim of making available provisions at the lowest rate to consumers.