Govt submits list of Padma awardees, rules out irregularities

Thiruvananthapuram: The UDF government Sunday submitted a list of 13 persons from the state for this year's Padma Awards.

"Kerala submitted the list of 13 persons from different fields as per rules and has not violated any regulations in this regard," state Minister for Planning and Culture K C Joseph said.

Referring to a media report that there wre alleged irregularities in the process, he maintained that there were no violations.

The Centre had only instructed that a search committee be set up. The state had formed a cabinet sub-committee, which functioned as the search committee and prepared the list as per its recommendations, Joseph said.

"After considering several names, the state approved the list of 13 persons from different fields," Joseph said.

To a question, the Minister said government was not aware of any new guidelines being issued by the Supreme Court for selection of persons for the Padma awards.