Governor’s recommendation to expel PSC chairman and members
Introductory Memo: Amid serious allegations of irregularities, malpractice, and rank-list manipulation in various Kerala PSC examinations, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar reportedly recommended the removal of PSC Chairman M. R. Baiju and 15 other members to President Droupadi Murmu before leaving office. The allegations include favouritism towards Left-affiliated candidates in several recruitments, including posts in the Planning Board, KAS, Fisheries Department, PRD, and Police Department. Although the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), critics alleged that investigations and action were limited despite numerous complaints. The Crime Branch has reportedly identified irregularities in 10 examinations, registered additional cases, and issued notices to certain PSC members for questioning. The Governor’s recommendation followed complaints from students, independent organisations, and political groups, including Yuva Morcha and ABVP, while the issue sparked disagreements within the state cabinet and drew public attention. The controversy has intensified demands for accountability, transparent recruitment procedures, and further action against those allegedly responsible.
Analytical view/ Analysis: All the PSC rank lists at the time of left regime please under suspicion. The relatives of senior leaders are placed in various rank lists and plum jobs. The aspirants are raising high level enquiry on all appointments in the last 10 years.
Due to the irregularities in the PSC examination and serious errors in the rank list, PSC Chairman Dr. The Governor of Kerala has recommended to the President the removal of MR Baiju and 15 other members.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar handed over the recommendation to President Droupadi Murmu before demitting office.
Since the PSC is a constitutional body, only the President has the power to remove the chairman and members. The Governor’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Supreme Court by the President as a Presidential Reference. The Supreme Court will investigate the matter and submit a report to the President. Once it is sent to the Supreme Court for presidential reference, the governor has the power to suspend the chairman and members of the PSC. According to the current situation, things are likely to move in that direction.
Over a hundred complaints were raised that there was massive malpractice in various PSC examinations and the rank lists were tampered with for the sake of Leftist sympathisers. The state government had appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the complaints, but the probe was initiated only in the appointment to the post of chief of the Planning Board. No investigation or action has yet been initiated in the posts of KAS, Fisheries Research Officer, PRD Assistant Information Officer, Police DySP and many other posts where allegations of corruption have been raised. Despite the irregularities in the interview of the Planning Board chief, which was held in the direct presence of PSC Chairman MR Baiju, there was no questioning. Even though the High Court criticized the state government and the Crime Branch for protecting the culprits in the investigation, the state government did not take strong action or demand it from the Governor.
Meanwhile, independent organisations, the BJP’s youth wing Yuva Morcha, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and the Save University Campaign Committee have written to the governor seeking action. Apart from this, many students have also complained to the governor. The BJP has also asked the state government to take action. Based on this, the Governor decided to make a recommendation to the President after seeking legal advice. Similarly, in Karnataka and Jharkhand, PSC chairmen had to resign.
Kerala PSC chairman Baiju has tenure of 20 months. During the tenure of the Left Front government, 58 questions were left unanswered in order to appoint a member of the Left Union as the head of the Planning Division of the Planning Board. It was alleged that this was done with the connivance of political leaders. During the tenure of Pinarayi Vijayan as Chief Minister, steps were taken to increase the salary and benefits of the PSC chairman and members. While the salary of judicial officers has been increased, the salary of the PSC chairman has been increased to Rs 4.5 lakh on par with the salary of district judges. It has four lakh members. Earlier, it was Rs 2.24 lakh and Rs 2.19 lakh. The chairman of the PSC will get a pension of Rs 2.5 lakh and the members will get Rs 2.5 lakh.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch has decided to take up three more cases. The decision to register fresh cases was taken in the appointments of Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector, Fisheries Extension Officer, Khadi Board and Oil Inspector. In the recruitment of Fisheries Extension Officer, 42 students who studied in the same class in Kochi Fisheries University were appointed together. The Crime Branch, the Governor and the state government had received allegations that 38 of them were SFI activists. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch has issued notices to PSC members S A Saif, S Sreekumar, C K Shajib and Stany Thomas. Earlier, the High Court had rejected their stand that they could not appear for questioning due to their constitutional status. The special investigation team has concluded that there were irregularities in 10 examinations.
There was a disagreement within the state cabinet over the report submitted to the President. While a section of ministers came out in support of the governor’s action, another section of ministers came out with criticism that the opinion should have been sought from the state government and the cabinet. He also criticised the state government for not talking to the Governor on the issue despite several complaints. The general public and candidates came out in strong support of the Governor’s action. Many congratulatory messages poured in on social media. People expect new Governor OP Mathur to take a follow-up action.
Reference
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- The Hindu https://share.google/B1zYWBSqX3PZ3og7V
- Onmanorama https://share.google/ahmWr7FhpOD9MSVw6
- The Indian Express https://share.google/RVkV3VkHFGL1hlDUc
- Plutus IAS https://share.google/rLUAPJnJBHk2PqDUj
- The Times of India https://share.google/BveJ3fpQHAcOTwD9o
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News at a Glance: Kerala governor recommends removing the PSC chairman and members for irregularities. Rift in cabinet and public applauds governor.
Academic Insight: Governor didn’t seek the cabinet permission and directly send the report to the President of India. It is first time in the history of Kerala, Wide spread corruption is reported in more than ten appointments. Favouritism is alleged and CPM cadres are posted
Social Media Pulse: Viral
On Our Reading List: Mathrubhumi, Manorama, Indian express, Times of India, Deshabhimani, Janambhumi
Article by: G K Suresh Babu