Thachankary expresses regret for birthday celebrations   

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17 (PTI) Days after courting controversy by distributing cakes and sweets on his birthdayin RTO offices in Kerala, Transport Commissioner Tominc JThachankary today publicly expressed regret for his behaviourat a function attended by Transport minister A K Saseendran. "I had distributed sweets with my money with goodintentions. However Transport Minister and the Chief Minister,who always wish for my good, indicated it was inappropriateand could have been avoided. Your actions will be misconstruedby society, they said. "If what I have done is wrong, I express regret,"Thachankary said at a function organised by the Motor vehiclesdepartment at Kozhikode this morning for creating awarenessamong school children. After the controversy erupted over the birthdaycelebrations in various Motor Vehicle department offices lastWednesday, the Transport minister had asked state ChiefSecretary S M Vijayanand to examine if any circular hadbeen issued by Thachankary, directing that birthdaycelebrations be held in all the RTO offices in the state. Thachankary had cut cakes and distributed sweets atvarious functions in Kochi while elsewhere in the state Motorvehicles department staff celebrated his birthday by handingdown cakes and ladoos earlier this month. As the issue became a talking point, the official claimedhe had spent money for the celebrations from his own pocketand hence there was no need to whip up any controversy. The 1984-batch IPS officer has always been dogged bycontroversies, ranging from allegedly amassing wealthdisproportionate to his known sources of income and makingfrequent trips abroad without seeking government’s permission.PTI UD APRMNGDK