T’puram: Vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) has found irregularities in the procedures followed by Kerafad and Milma in awarding overseas marketing and export contracts to private agencies, including Midnight Sun Global, a company owned by Bindu Menon, wife of former minister K B Ganesh Kumar.An action-taken report submitted by the VACB special investigation unit-II before the vigilance court at Muvattupuzha identified the absence of documentary evidence of competitive tendering and inconsistencies in the terms and conditions of agreements with different agencies.The enquiry followed a complaint filed by Cheshire Tarzan before VACB, alleging a lack of transparency in awarding the contracts. The complainant sought an examination of whether undue favouritism or external influence had played a role, particularly in view of the alleged relationship between Bindu Menon as proprietor of Midnight Sun Global and former minister K B Ganesh Kumar.According to the report, the petition verification found no documentary evidence to establish that either Kerafed or Milma had followed or initiated a competitive bidding or tender process for granting licences to export their products.The enquiry also found considerable variations in the terms and conditions of agreements executed with different agencies. While some agreements specified a contractual period of three years, others were limited to one year. Similarly, a minimum purchase quantity was made mandatory in certain agreements but was absent from several others.The VACB director had entrusted the enquiry to the superintendent of police, special investigation unit-II, through an order dated May 18. The enquiry was conducted under a reference dated May 20, and the report was submitted on Oct 9.The enquiry report recommended expeditious follow-up action through the dairy development department and the agriculture department to ensure transparency in awarding such contracts and establish a uniform and systematic tendering process. The action-taken report was submitted to the court in compliance with its directions.
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