Thiruvananthapuram (Keralam), Oct 25 (PTI) Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday said the crime branch investigation into alleged irregularities in PSC recruitments was progressing well and that strong action would follow within a week.
Former Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar recently recommended to President Droupadi Murmu the removal of PSC Chairman M R Baiju over alleged irregularities in appointments and examinations conducted by the commission during the previous LDF government’s tenure.
CPI(M) and Revenue Minister AP Anilkumar criticised the recommendation.
Responding to questions about the move, Chennithala said the government would not compromise on bringing those responsible for the alleged irregularities to justice.
“The crime branch investigation is progressing well. We have taken note of the spirit of the court’s observations. Irregularities in Public Service Commission recruitment will be identified, and those responsible will be brought to justice. There will be no compromise on the part of the government,” he said.
He said strong action would follow in the coming week, adding that delays had occurred for various reasons, including repeated filings before the court.
“It is very clear that irregularities have taken place. Whoever was responsible for them, the police and the Home Department will take strong action,” he said.
On the former governor’s recommendation, Chennithala said he could not comment without examining the matter.
He added that the letter had been sent without informing the state government.
Chennithala said several complaints had emerged over the past decade regarding PSC examinations and recruitments, including those for SI posts and selections under the sports quota.
He said allegations that eligible candidates had not been awarded the marks due to them had also raised concerns about the commission’s functioning.
“When such a large number of complaints emerge, doubts naturally arise about the PSC’s functioning over the past 10 years. The complaints are serious and cannot be dismissed lightly,” he said.
He added that the allegations had undermined the PSC’s credibility and that the government would ensure accountability through the ongoing investigation.
Anilkumar said he was not seeking to defend the PSC chairman or members facing allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations. However, he criticised the former governor for recommending the chairman’s removal without informing the state government.
In a Facebook post, Anilkumar said the recommendation to the president was a matter of serious concern, particularly as it had been made shortly before Arlekar demitted office and before the investigation report had been submitted.
The crime branch investigation was progressing, and making such a recommendation hastily was against constitutional propriety, he said.
“Lok Bhavan should not become a political centre,” the minister said.
CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan accused the BJP of using the governor’s office to undermine the independence of the Keralam PSC.
He alleged that the recommendation to remove its chairman and members was unconstitutional and politically motivated.
Citing Articles 316 and 317 of the Constitution, Govindan said PSC members were appointed for a six-year term and that their removal was governed by a procedure involving an inquiry by the Supreme Court into allegations of misbehaviour.
Govindan claimed that no case was pending before the Supreme Court against members of the Keralam PSC and that the apex court had made no adverse observations against the commission.
“The BJP appears to have used the Governor to send such a letter to the President to undermine the Keralam PSC,” he said, alleging that the move was aimed at disrupting the functioning of an institution that had carried out recruitment effectively.
He questioned the state government’s position on the recommendation, referring to the farewell extended to Arlekar by Chief Minister V D Satheesan and other ministers before the former governor left office.
Govindan asked whether the UDF government supported the recommendation or would oppose it, and demanded that the CM clarify the government’s stand.
He alleged that the BJP was using Governors to interfere in state institutions, citing developments in higher education, including appointments to boards of studies and university bodies, as examples of what he described as politically motivated interventions.
Govindan said the alleged attempt to dissolve the PSC and remove its chairman and members would face strong opposition in Keralam.
Earlier in the day, Agriculture Minister T Siddique said the state government would ensure accountability for alleged irregularities in the PSC and bring those responsible to justice.
Siddique said the UDF government had taken the allegations seriously and ordered a crime branch investigation into the recruitment body’s functioning.
He alleged that the PSC had undermined merit in recruitment and damaged its credibility during the previous LDF government’s tenure.
“The crime branch investigation is progressing well. In the coming days, the investigation will take important steps. We will not compromise in bringing all the accused before the law,” Siddique said.
He alleged that the PSC and universities had suffered serious damage over the past decade, claiming that recruitment irregularities had jeopardised the future of young people in the state. PTI TBA SSK
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