<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has rejected the Comptroller and Auditor General's criticism over purchasing PPE kits at higher rates during Covid-19.</p><p>Vijayan also rejected the allegations over the nod to a private firm to set up a distillery at Palakkad and reiterated that the government would go ahead with it by addressing the concerns of the people.</p>.CAG report on PPE kits purchase: Congress steps up attack on LDF government.<p>The Chief Minister was replying to discussions on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address in the assembly on Thursday.</p><p>Vijayan said that PPE kits had to be purchased at a higher price during Covid-19 owing to the scarcity of PPE kits and the urgent requirement owing to Covid. Already clarifications were given to the CAG on the matter. The opposition Congress's allegations that an order for PPE kits at higher rate was placed when an offer for supply PPE kits at one-third price was available would be examined by the assembly public accounts committee.</p>.Political row over nod for distillery brewing in Kerala.<p>Vijayan also said that nod for the proposal of Oasis Commercial for setting up distillery at Palakkad was given as per the state government liquor policy. </p><p>"Only a preliminary nod has been given. The final nod will be given only by addressing the concerns of the local people. There is no corruption in giving the nod for the proposal. The Rs 600 crore project will generate 650 direct and around 2,000 indirect employment," he said.</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has rejected the Comptroller and Auditor General's criticism over purchasing PPE kits at higher rates during Covid-19.</p><p>Vijayan also rejected the allegations over the nod to a private firm to set up a distillery at Palakkad and reiterated that the government would go ahead with it by addressing the concerns of the people.</p>.CAG report on PPE kits purchase: Congress steps up attack on LDF government.<p>The Chief Minister was replying to discussions on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address in the assembly on Thursday.</p><p>Vijayan said that PPE kits had to be purchased at a higher price during Covid-19 owing to the scarcity of PPE kits and the urgent requirement owing to Covid. Already clarifications were given to the CAG on the matter. The opposition Congress's allegations that an order for PPE kits at higher rate was placed when an offer for supply PPE kits at one-third price was available would be examined by the assembly public accounts committee.</p>.Political row over nod for distillery brewing in Kerala.<p>Vijayan also said that nod for the proposal of Oasis Commercial for setting up distillery at Palakkad was given as per the state government liquor policy. </p><p>"Only a preliminary nod has been given. The final nod will be given only by addressing the concerns of the local people. There is no corruption in giving the nod for the proposal. The Rs 600 crore project will generate 650 direct and around 2,000 indirect employment," he said.</p>