THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of sacking Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) managing director Saji Basheer, about 40 employees, who were allegedly recruited through the backdoor, have also been terminated. Inspections are also on to find if more persons recruited irregularly are still working in the KSIE.
Sources in the office of the industry minister said that the termination of Mr Saji Basheer, who faced serious corruption charges, was just the beginning of revamping the public sector undertakings. “We are in the process of reviewing the functioning of all PSUs and stern action to eliminate corruption would follow,” said an official.
The government is also likely to order a Vigilance probe into the massive recruitments made during the term of Mr Saji Basheer, especially in the wake of allegations that heavy bribes were collected from candidates with the connivance of some political leaders.
Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation managing director M. Beena, who has been given the charge of KSIE managing director, is reviewing the functioning of KSIE, which is mainly engaged in operation of cargo terminals and soap manufacturing.
An inspection by the industries department in April had found that over 100 recruitments took place in KSIE within months after Mr. Basheer took over in September last. This had caused severe fiscal burden on the PSU. Though industries principal secretary P.H. Kurien issued orders on April 28 to terminate the services of nearly 40 who were appointed through the backdoor, Mr. Basheer did not act upon it. Hence the LDF government has decided to sack him.
Mr. Basheer, who earlier served as Kerala Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) managing director, faced a Vigilance case in connection with alleged corruption to the tune of '5.19 crore in connection with the development of a land proposed from Telecom City project at Menamkulam. Though the VACB recommended to the government to keep him under suspension, then Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had turned it down.
