Kerala's Left Democratic Front Government on Thursday decided to bring a legislation to check nepotism in appointments to key positions in public sector units.
The Cabinet decision comes after controversies over the appointments of relatives of CPM leaders in key positions in PSU's which caused severe embarrassment to the coalition within six months of coming to power on an anti-corruption platform.
The main controversy was over the appointment of Sudheeran - son of CPM central committee member and Kannur MP P K Sreemathy and a relative of Industries minister E P Jayarajan - as the managing director of Kerala State Industries Enterprise Ltd (KSIE).
The appointment was scrapped after widespread criticism. Earlier this week, Deepthi Nishad, who is the daughter-in-law of Jayarajan’s brother too resigned from the post of general manager of Kerala Clays and Ceramics Ltd. Jayarajan is a powerful leader from the Kannur belt, but none of the none at the top, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan supported these appointments.
According to the new bill, vigilance department clearance will be mandatory for appointment to posts of managing directors and general managers in public sector units.
This is a major step in ensuring transparency in the appointments. The Cabinet decided to appoint a high level committee comprising technical experts including those at the national level to select probables for appointment to various important posts in PSUs.
Chief Secretary S M Vijayanand will look into allegations regarding the controversial appointments made recently, including those of Jayarajan’s relatives P K Sudheer and Deepthi Nishad.
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