Cabinet defers decision on terms and references of probe

The Kerala cabinet today deferred a decision on the terms and reference for the judicial probe into the solar panel scam that rocked the state for the past two months and brought the Chief Minister's office under a cloud.
"The recommendations of LDF opposition have been received and we discussed the same. It has to be discussed again and a final decision would be taken soon," Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters after a cabinet meeting here.
On the main demand of the opposition to include the Chief Minister and CM's office under the ambit of the probe, Chandy said "the inquiry would be transparent and the government has nothing to hide. I can tell you only this much now. All doubts in this regard would be cleared once the terms and conditions are finalised," he said.

Government was yet to receive a reply from the High court on its request for the services of a sitting judge for the probe, he said, adding "we expect a reply from the High Court soon."
Chandy also denied reports that talks were being held with LDF leaders through an intermediary on the terms and references of the probe.
The government had reportedly told LDF that it was ready to include the CM's office under the ambit of the probe with a rider that LDF end its agitation demanding Chandy's resignation.
The scam pertains to cheating of many people by accused Biju Radhakrishnan and Saritha Nair, both under arrest, by offering clients solar energy solutions. They allegedly flaunted their clout with the CM's office to dupe unsuspecting clients of huge sums.

It took a political turn after the arrest of a Personal Assistant of Chandy for his alleged links with the accused. A gunman of the Chief Minister was also suspended for his alleged association with the fraudsters.