CPM seeks CM’s stand on governor’s PSC move

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretariat on Sunday asked chief minister V D Satheesan to clarify his stand on former governor Rajendra Arlekar’s recommendation to the President to dissolve the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC).In a statement, CPM termed Arlekar’s move unconstitutional and illegal and questioned whether the Congress supported it. The party also asked whether the chief minister shared the Congress’s national-level position on what it described as politically motivated actions by governors.CPM said there were established legal procedures for taking action against PSC members, but the governor had not followed them. It pointed out that a special investigation team was already probing allegations of irregularities in the preparation of a PSC rank list. The govt had informed the high court that the investigation had found nothing so far, though the court had made certain critical observations, the party said.The party said the governor had no authority to recommend the dissolution of the PSC and was bound to act on the advice of the state govt. It asked whether the govt had requested the governor to make such a recommendation when none of the allegations had been proved or substantiated before a court.Alleging that the Sangh Parivar was targeting PSC after universities in the state, CPM called for strong protests against what it described as “governor’s rule” that reduced democracy to a mere spectator. It said the move would be challenged both politically and legally.The party also demanded that Satheesan clarify whether the govt had handed over any crucial files or information concerning PSC to Arlekar. It alleged that Arlekar had relied solely on complaints and media reports, which were insufficient grounds for such a recommendation.Accusing the state govt of yielding to the Sangh Parivar, CPM referred to the farewell accorded to Arlekar by the govt and the chief minister’s expressions of warmth towards him. It also alleged that several decisions, including the appointment of university vice-chancellors, were part of an understanding involving BJP and RSS.The party said the governor was expected to act on the advice of the state govt but had repeatedly bypassed it, including in the PSC issue.Defending the commission, CPM said Kerala PSC had set an example for the rest of the country by completing recruitment processes quickly. It claimed that the commission had made more than 10 lakh appointments over the past 10 years.The party maintained that isolated incidents should not be used to discredit an entire constitutional institution. Allegations of irregularities should be investigated and those found guilty punished, but that did not justify dismantling the commission, it said.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in KochiStay updated with the latest Kochi news. Download the TOI App.