Racketeers leave Gulf job-seekers in the lurch

KOTTAYAM: Hundreds of job-seekers from the state have fallen victims to yet another Gulf job racket operated by the Kuwait-based Global Energy, which has offices in New Delhi and Chengannur. Nearly 350 Keralites were cheated of lakhs of rupees with offers of nurses' jobs under the Ministry of Health of Kuwait.Some of the victims lodged a complaint with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Saturday seeking immediate action against the alleged kingpin of the racket Balachandran alias Balaji, a native of Idakkad, Kollam, his nephew Rahul of Chengannur, Santha Balachandran, wife of Balachandran, Tojo Joseph of Kannur and A G Rajan, father of Rahul and former president of Budhanoor gramapanchayat, near Chengannur.A G Rajan is a CPM local leader and husband of Santha's sister. According to the complainants, those possessing general nursing and BSc nursing qualifications were offered fat salaries in hospitals under the Kuwait MOH. Each had to pay Rs 23.5 lakh. 'Interviews' were held in resorts at Changanassery and Kumarakom in February 2010.