Kerala PSC row: Vigilance report cited in Governor's recommendation to remove chairman and members

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The PSC Vigilance report, which confirmed irregularities within the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC), was the main basis for former Governor R V Arlekar's recommendation to the President to remove the PSC chairman and its members. The report detailed serious lapses on the part of the chairman and members.

The Governor had forwarded a complaint filed by the Yuva Morcha to the PSC. In its reply, the PSC Vigilance wing highlighted serious misconduct by the chairman and members. Arlekar reportedly quoted the findings of the Vigilance report directly in his recommendation to the President.

The Governor sent the recommendation in a demi-official (D.O.) letter bearing his signature. He also requested the President to take an independent decision on the matter. The PSC Vigilance officer is a Superintendent of Police deputed from the state police. The Vigilance report had pointed out that the PSC chairman failed to act despite being informed about the irregularities in advance.

An applicant who noticed irregularities in the evaluation of an examination conducted by the State Planning Board had to wait for nearly a year to receive information sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The information was provided only after the applicant approached the State Information Commission.

The delay was allegedly intended to conceal the fact that a candidate favoured by those involved had secured the first rank without the evaluation of questions carrying 58 marks. The Vigilance report also raised concerns that the PSC chairman and other officials had pressured the Public Information Officer, preventing the officer from functioning independently.

Following the detection of irregularities in the evaluation process, the Vigilance wing had recommended action against around a dozen officials, including an Additional Secretary and a Deputy Secretary. However, the chairman did not initiate any action. The report also pointed out that the chairman ignored demands to remove officials responsible for the lapses from examination-related duties.

'No action despite being informed about irregularities'

• The Vigilance report reportedly made several serious observations against the PSC chairman:
• The chairman did not cooperate even with the investigation conducted by the Vigilance officer. Despite the detection of irregularities, he was unwilling to correct them or provide documents for a detailed examination.
• No action was taken against those responsible despite the detection and reporting of irregularities in appointments made through the State Planning Board.
• The report reportedly warned that independent investigations by the Vigilance wing and the Crime Branch would be affected if the existing chairman and members continued in office.

PSC's petition also mentioned

The Governor's letter to the President also referred to the PSC's petition before the Kerala High Court challenging the Crime Branch investigation. The letter reportedly stated that the PSC was made to file the petition by misusing the chairman's powers. Instead of cooperating with the investigation, the chairman allegedly misused his position to obstruct it.