Thiruvananthapuram Airport: KSIDC Paid Rs 1.57 Crore To KPMG

Thiruvananthapuram Airport, the state government sought expert advice on the auction process from the Institution affiliated with the Adani group. KSIDC was assisted in the auction by two companies. One is Mumbai-based Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas Group and the other is the controversial KPMG through Flood Rehabilitation Consultancy. The government paid Rs 1.57 crore to KPMG and Rs 55 lakh to Mangaldas Group as fees.

The RTI states that Kerala sought expert advice for the auction process for the airport from a law firm closely associated with the Adani Group. Karen Adani’s wife Paridhi Adani is a partner in a Mumbai – based law firm. The RTI documents provided by KSIDC state that the company was instrumental in determining the bid amount.

KSIDC was assisted in the auction by two companies. One is Mumbai-based Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas Group and the other is the controversial KPMG through Flood Rehabilitation Consultancy. The government paid Rs 1.57 crore to KPMG and Rs 55 lakh to Mangaldas Group as fees. Adani Group is also on the client list of Mangaldas Group, including GMR, a leading airport operator, and Kifby in Kerala.

In addition, Paridhi, the daughter of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas Group Managing Partner Cyril Shroff and a partner in the group, is the niece of Adani Group owner Gautam Adani. She is the wife of Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Ports, which is in charge of port projects in Thiruvananthapuram. Professional Fee for Bidding – ie Rs 55 lakh was paid as official reward for official co-operation in the auction process.

The Kerala government had failed in the auction. The Adani Group offered Rs 168 and Kerala Rs 135 per passenger at the Thiruvananthapuram airport. The Adani Group, which had quoted the highest amount, received the airport. At the same time, it needs to be clarified whether KSIDC sought their services directly or through the controversial consultancy KPMG. It is yet to be ascertained which of these was sought by the State in determining the auction price.