In response to the remarks from Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asserted that the state should not bear the blame for perceived negligence by the Customs Department regarding gold smuggling.
The Kerala CM asked the Governor to address the issue of duty-evaded gold with the appropriate Union Ministry, asserting that such discussions would aid the state’s ongoing efforts to combat the problem.
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The Governor had insinuated that the state government had something to hide, prompting Vijayan to clarify the facts in a pointed letter. He emphasised that the influx of gold escaping scrutiny at airports is primarily due to laxity within the Customs Department, which operates under the purview of the Union Government.
In his correspondence, the CM said that the responsibility for the arrival of duty-evaded gold does not lie with the State Government. He highlighted the efforts of the Kerala police, who, despite the Customs Department’s shortcomings, have maintained vigilance against smuggling activities.
It was pointed out by the Kerala CM that the Customs Department has the primary responsibility for preventing gold smuggling, as it falls under the Ministry of Finance. Further he noted that the state police have acted on credible information to address smuggling cases and that any law and order issues arising from such activities are ultimately the responsibility of the Union Government.
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Furthermore, he reiterated that there were no allegations of anti-national activities in Kerala, refuting claims that the state was engaged in any wrongdoing. He clarified that his statements during a recent press conference were intended to provide statistical information on smuggling interceptions by the state police and not to imply any systemic failures.
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