Claims of Corruption in KSRTC Bus Purchases Are False, Says K B Ganesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram: Former Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar has categorically denied corruption allegations that have surfaced in connection with the purchase of KSRTC buses, asserting that the charges are entirely without foundation. He alleged that certain media outlets are deliberately fabricating false documents to run a smear campaign against him, and demanded that the government order a comprehensive investigation to expose the conspiracy behind it.

Presenting figures to counter the reports, Ganesh Kumar said not a single number cited in the news stories is factually accurate. He dismissed the media claim that the deal caused a loss of ₹4 crore to the exchequer, saying the transaction actually resulted in a saving of approximately ₹3 crore for KSRTC. He also stated that no document of the kind portrayed in the reports exists in KSRTC's records.

The former minister maintained that the bus procurement was conducted through a rigorous tendering process and that the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder. No corruption of any kind took place during the LDF government's tenure, he said.

"I would welcome even a CBI inquiry into this matter. What needs to come out is how a forged document was fabricated showing an amount that KSRTC never paid. The channel that aired this false report must publicly apologise to the people," Ganesh Kumar said.