Truck with Centre apolitical, says Jayakumar

“It is limited between the governments. We depend on the Centre’s subsidy in several schemes in various levels. For state’s growth, we are continuing cordial ties with the Centre. We have been insisting the Centre to devolve proportionate tax revenue contributed by the state. We would stick to the demand of what goes out from the state should come back. Like this we have been working on several aspects with the Centre besides upholding state’s rights,” he said.

Even as questions relating to Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s involvement in Assistant Prof Nirmala Devi’s audio tape emerged, he said that the investigation will shed more light on the issue. 

Clarifying that his comment should not be referred to Governor but the entire incident, Jayakumar said the CB-CID is a specialised agency which has been tasked to go into the bottom of the case.

“Perpetrators, whoever involved, will be brought to the books. The thorough investigation would lay bare all facts related to the case for the state to act,” Jayakumar said. The Minister welcomed the ordinance promulgated to provide for capital punishment for the perpetrators that indulge in rape of minor girls less than 12 years of age.

“The intensity of such a provision would deter the perpetrator from committing such crimes,” the Minister added.

Jayakumar reiterated that law would take its course in the case of S Ve Shekher for his derogatory FB post on women in media. “Police are pursuing the case and would take necessary action,” Jayakumar said when he was pressed to answer whether absconding Shekher would be arrested.

On stormy seas in Kanniyakumari, the Minister said a Fisheries official in the rank of Additional Director had been sent to take stock of the situation from the field. We are already monitoring the situation. We heard some boats were damaged due to pileup. We would assess the damage and provide necessary relief for the affected fisher-men.