Thiruvananthapuram: Higher education minister K. T. Jaleel on Sunday justified the appointment of his cousin, K. T. Adeeb, as the general manager of the Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation (KSMDFC) and rejected the demand for his resignation and a probe.
"No one can deny opportunities to someone, just because he's minister's relative. I have not done anything against the law. There is no need for any investigation," he said.
He accused the IUML of raising nepotism charges after he started recovery procedures against defaulters at the KSMDFC, most of them their members.
He alleged that they took the loan by the assurance of their leaders that they need not pay back.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, he said the government was forced to hasten the appointment as bad debts were mounting, publishing notification in all newspapers.
He wanted Muslim Youth League leader P. K. Firoz, who questioned the appointment of his underqualified cousin, at least read their own mouthpiece Chandrika.
"RBI will not give licence if the number of bad debts is vast," he said.
"The criteria of educational qualification was changed to ensure better participation. Even then only seven had applied."
Jaleel said Mr Adeeb was reluctant initially and he requested him for his services on "deputation" for at least a year.
He had more than ten years' experience in South Indian Bank, a Thrissur-based private sector bank.
Moreover, in the past, general managers were appointed on deputation from other organisations without inviting applications.
A person from SIB on deputation was appointed as managing director during the previous UDF government.
