Thiruvananthapuram: The allegation that the Kerala government entered into a contract with EMCC International was baseless, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He was addressing a press conference here on Thursday.

“As the leader of Opposition is raising such baseless allegations, there is a chance that the people could misunderstand the situation. That is why the government cancelled the MoU. Not even a shadow of doubt will be allowed to remain in the minds of the people,” the CM clarified.

The government had signed 117 memorandums of interest and 34 memorandums of understanding during Ascend Kerala 2020. It was only a standard memorandum of understanding which stated that matters will be taken forward according to the policies and stipulations of the government. The government’s fisheries policy is that no foreign corporate will be allowed to undertake deep sea fishing in Kerala. Anything that is against this policy will not be entertained, the CM explained.

Kerala Shipping & Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd, (KSINC), a private company had signed an understanding with EMCC International on February 2, 2021 to make available 400 boats and 5 mother vessels, he said.

However, this was without the knowledge of the government or the additional chief secretary in charge. As the MoU was against the government’s policies, KSINC was directed to cancel the same. T. K. Jose IAS, additional chief secretary to the Home Department has been directed to investigate into the situation in which the MoU was signed, he added.

“I suspect that the Opposition created a controversy as part of their understanding with BJP. The government is with the fisherfolk and it will do everything to improve their lives,” the CM added.

  PINARAY