'Preventing Gold Smuggling Not Our Responsibility': Kerala CM Vijayan Replies To Governor's Letter

Thiruvananthapuram: Asserting that the responsibility for preventing gold smuggling lies with the Customs Department which comes under Centre, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that the state government is not responsible for preventing the illicit activities taking place adding that police is still trying its best to prevent the duty-evaded gold from hitting markets. 

In a letter addressed to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Vijayan urged the Governor to raise the matter with the central government.

'Preventing Gold Smuggling Not Responsibility of State Govt' 

The Chief Minister's letter responded to Governor's message sent the previous day, where Khan criticized Vijayan for his 'silence, inaction, and excessive delay' in addressing his request for information about reports concerning alleged anti-national and anti-state activities in the state, linked to groups involved in gold smuggling.

"It should be appreciated that the arrival of gold escaping scrutiny at the airport is due to laxity on the part of the Customs Department and not of the State Government. Hence, responsibility of the arrival of duty evaded gold does not lie with the State Government," Vijayan said in the letter.

'State Police Already Doing Enough'

Vijayan said while preventing smuggling is primarily the duty of Customs, the state police have been vigilant due to the related issues of law and order and tax evasion.

The state police act when they receive reliable information, even though preventing smuggling is not their direct responsibility, the Chief Minister said.

In response to the Governor's allegations, the Chief Minister stated that there has been no intentional or excessive delay in providing the information requested by the Raj Bhavan, emphasizing that the time taken was necessary to collect the relevant facts.

"I find the claims in your letter dated October 8, 2024, suggesting that I have something to hide, to be completely unfounded. I strongly object to this statement and, with the utmost respect, wish to express my protest against such far-fetched and baseless allegations," CM Vijayan remarked.