Files of Kerala’s Unnathi initiative for SC/STs go missing, IAS officer puts ball in former minister’s court

A report submitted by Additional Secretary Dr A Jayathilak IAS to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted serious lapses under former Special Secretary N Prasanth’s tenure as Unnathi CEO.

Published Nov 08, 2024 | 9:21 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 08, 2024 | 9:42 PM

N Prasanth IAS (Instagram)

Several crucial files from Kerala’s Unnathi Society — an initiative dedicated to the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs)and Scheduled Tribes (STs) — have mysteriously disappeared, affecting ongoing and future empowerment projects, sources said on Friday, 8 November.

The missing files include essential registration records, bank passbooks, cheque books, financial transaction details, and contracts crucial for the society’s operations.

A report submitted by Additional Secretary Dr A Jayathilak, IAS, to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted serious lapses under former Special Secretary N Prasanth’s tenure as Unnathi CEO.

The missing files

Prasanth allegedly delayed transferring these files after being replaced by K Gopalakrishnan in March 2023. Despite official orders and follow-up letters, only two incomplete envelopes were returned, with Prasanth attributing delays to Gopalakrishnan’s election duties.

The missing files include:

Society Registration Certificate (Original)
Banking and Financial Documents: Bank account passbooks, treasury account records, chequebooks, and transaction summaries.
Website Development Agreements: Contracts related to creating and maintaining the organisation’s website.
Chartered Accountant Appointment Records: Includes contracts, terms of engagement, and compensation details.
Partnership Documents: Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with organisations like Kerala Startup Mission, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), and Kerala Digital University.
Unnati Startup City MoU: Agreement and related contractual documents
SC-ST Central Funding Documents: Papers related to government funding for the SC-ST sector
Entrepreneur Skill Training Contracts: Agreements for skill training programs for 200 entrepreneurs, including information on the training institutions involved.

This missing documentation poses a serious obstacle to Unnathi’s projects and raises concerns over transparency in its financial and operational activities.

Prasanth, now a special secretary to the state government in the department of agriculture development and farmers’ welfare, refuted the charge that the files have gone missing.

In a Facebook post, he said all documents had been handed over to former minister K Radhakrishnan. However, no official explanation or investigation has been initiated by the SC/ST department on the matter.

Radhakrishnan resigned from the Pinarayi Vijayan Cabinet after he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Alathur.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)