Sudheer Nambiar out but damage done

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM-led LDF government had egg on its face on Thursday when Industries minister E P Jayarajan was forced to scrap the order appointing his relative P.K. Sudheer as managing director of  Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) Ltd. Sudheer who is Kannur MP and CPM Central Committee member P K Sreemathy's son, was appointed as MD on October 2, throwing all norms to winds. The minister, however, claimed that he had applied for the post of managing director and his appointment was based on the application.

Sources said though the government had entrusted RIAB with conducting interviews for appointing managing directors of 18 PSUs under the industries department, many of the the probables were shortlisted without following the qualification norms. 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. Sources said Sudheer was appointed overlooking the list prepared by RIAB on the basis of interview. It is alleged that Sudheer didn't take part in the interview. However, Industries Minister came out with a rather strange statement saying that Sudheer's appointment had been scrapped since the department could not accept his request for extended joining period.

The trouble for Jayarajan has not ended with scrapping of Sudheer's appointment. His brother's daughter in law, Deepthi has been posted as general manager of Kerala Clays and Ceramic Products Ltd. He has been accused of flouting norms to facilitate her appointment. There are allegations that CPM state secretariat member Analthalavattom Anandnan’s son, former MLA Koliyakode Krishan Nair's son and former chief minister late E K Nayanar's grandson had also been given positions in some of the important PSUs.

When contacted by mediapersons for reaction on the controversial appointments, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said: “In normal course the managing directors of PSUs are appointed on the  basis of qualification. But the appointment in question has not come to my notice.  Previous experience is taken into account while appointing people to these posts. I will examine the matter." Soon after Chief Minister's reaction, the Industries Minister came out with the statement scrapping the appointment order of Sudheer which said:

“The order appointing P K Sudheer as managing director of Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) Ltd has been scrapped. Sudheer who is a graduate and heads a major institution as the chief executive officer, had applied for being appointed to the post of KSIE MD. The appointment order was issued on the basis of his qualification. However , Sudheer had sent a letter to the privae secretary of Industries Minister E P Jayarajan seeking joining time. However, his request for extending the joining time was rejected by the minister and subsequently the appointment order was scrapped on October 3,2016. The minister has also issued the order giving additional charge to KSIDC MD Dr M Beena." Meanwhile, BJP leader V. Muraleedharan termed this decision as the victory of BJP and the civil society against nepotism and favouritism.