<p></p><p>Kerala High Court has directed Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) to monitor the proceedings of the expert committee appointed by the Government to probe corruption in Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Ltd. Reports by C&AG and the Vigilance departments had earlier pointed out corruption to the tune of crores in the Corporation and no action was taken against the management despite their recommendations.</p> <p>A public interest litigation filed in the High Court demanding CBI enquiry was countered by the State Government saying it had appointed a committee including Industries department principal secretary as the Chairman. However, the Court ordered to appoint the Additional Chief Secretary (finance) to “monitor the proceedings of the committee and ensure that all necessary documents are made available to the committee”. The Court has also ordered to re-nominate a Chartered Accountant or Auditor of a Government Department in place of a private chartered accountant appointed by the Government on the expert committee. A report on the same has to be submitted within a month’s time, considering the allegations that have been noticed by C&AG and the Vigilance Department on the issue, the Court ordered. </p><p>“The public interest litigation by me was taken in file and notices were sent to the respondents. The Court has ordered to submit the report within a month’s time and further inquiry will be ordered only based on the report submitted by the expert committee,” said Kadakampally Manoj, former INTUC Kollam district secretary. Advocates A. Sudhi Vasudevan and K. Pushpavathi represented the petitioner.<br></p><p></p>