Anilkumar described the recommendation to President Droupadi Murmu as a violation of constitutional conventions, arguing that the Governor had kept the elected government uninformed before initiating action against the constitutional recruitment body.
The Revenue Minister said Arlekar should have consulted the government before recommending the removal of PSC chairman Dr M R Baiju and other commission members. He questioned the urgency of the decision, particularly when a Crime Branch investigation into alleged recruitment irregularities was still under way.
Anilkumar made clear that his objections concerned the procedure followed rather than the allegations against the commission. He said he was not defending officials facing accusations of examination malpractice or irregular appointments.
The minister maintained that the Governor’s constitutional position demanded restraint and proper consultation with the elected administration. He also warned against allowing the Governor’s office to become a centre of political activity.
Muraleedharan, however, offered a sharply different assessment, arguing that serious irregularities within the PSC justified intervention. He said the government itself had ordered an investigation because allegations concerning recruitment procedures required examination.
The Health Minister accused the commission of failing to cooperate adequately with the investigation. That attitude, he suggested, might have influenced Arlekar’s decision to approach the President.
Muraleedharan argued that the PSC, despite enjoying constitutional independence, had departed from its responsibilities. He accused its leadership of allowing corruption to undermine public confidence and insisted that the existing commission should be replaced.
He also blamed the previous Left Democratic Front administration for the deterioration in the recruitment body’s functioning. The minister maintained that the government would have to consider questions concerning future appointments to the commission.
The contrasting ministerial responses exposed a disagreement over whether allegations against the PSC justified the Governor’s intervention without prior consultation with the state administration.
Arlekar reportedly sent his recommendation approximately a week before relinquishing the Kerala governorship following his appointment as Governor of Tamil Nadu. Om Prakash Mathur subsequently assumed charge in Kerala.
The recommendation seeks the removal of Baiju and the commission’s members following complaints concerning recruitment irregularities. The complaints included representations submitted to the Governor’s office by organisations associated with the BJP.
The constitutional procedure governing such removal is central to the controversy. Article 317 provides that the President may remove a state public service commission chairman or member for misbehaviour after the Supreme Court, acting on a presidential reference, conducts an inquiry and recommends removal.
The Governor’s communication does not itself terminate the tenure of the chairman or commission members. Any removal on grounds of misbehaviour must follow the constitutional process.
(The article ‘Ministers diverge over Governor’s action’ appeared first on Free Press Journal.)
Follow Arabian Post
Select Arabian Post as your preferred source on Google and MSN News for trusted business news and Arab politics and updates.
