Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Secretary S.M. Vijayanand has called for all files pertaining to the recent controversial appointments which had led to the resignation of industries minister E.P. Jayarajan.
Sources said the chief secretary has directed planning department, industries department and other agencies which had issued orders and notifications in connection with the appointments. He will be examining the procedures adopted in issuing orders and notifications and whether these were within the framework of the existing rules.
The chief secretary will ascertain whether vigilance clearance which is mandatory for appointment of key posts like managing director and general manager, was taken or not. The controversial appointments of P.K. Sreemathy’s son P.K. Sudheer as managing director of Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) and Jayarajaan’s brother’s daughter-in-law Deepthi Nishad as general manager, which led to the resignation of the minister would be examined in detail.
The chief secretary will also examine the procedures adopted by Public Sector Restructuring and Internal Audit (RIAB) which was entrusted with the task of conducting interviews and short listing candidates for various important posts of PSUs under the industries department.
As part of the government’s decision to revitalise, revamp, professionalise and check corruption in PSUs, RIAB had brought out a special notification inviting applications from prospective candidates for the post of managing directors. The candidates were to have the following qualification for different posts; MBA, B Tech, 15 years experience in government service, experience in senior level position and within the age group of 45 and 55.
There were allegations that Sudheer had been appointed in violation of norms of qualification and experience. The statement issued by the minister after scrapping Sudheer’s appointment had stated he was a graduate and had applied for the post.
