Thiruvananthapuram, July 5 (IANS). The controversy over irregularities in the evaluation of Public Service Commission (PSC) recruitment examination in Kerala is continuously increasing. Amidst increasing protests and questions, the state government is now seriously considering handing over the investigation of this case to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).
The Home Department of the government has decided that first legal opinion will be taken whether there is any constitutional or legal obstacle in conducting a vigilance inquiry into the functioning of the PSC since it is a constitutional body. Further decision will be taken after getting legal opinion.
This step of the government has come at a time when questions are being raised on the impartiality and credibility of the internal investigation of the PSC. Critics say the investigation has been handed over to an officer who reports directly to the PAC chairman. The opposition and many other parties allege that this arrangement may affect the impartiality of the investigation and may lead to an attempt to protect those responsible.
In view of these concerns, the state government is now considering the possibility of handing over the investigation of the case to the Vigilance Department. The final decision in this regard is expected to be taken in the next meeting of the state cabinet.
The entire controversy is related to the recruitment examination for three Chief level posts in the State Planning Board. It is alleged that during the evaluation of answer sheets, the examiners did not even check the answers of 10 questions of the candidates.
Despite such a big mistake, PSC released the rank list of two out of three posts and also appointed two candidates. The matter came to light when a candidate filed a complaint with the Kerala Administrative Tribunal.
During the tribunal hearing, the PSC admitted that mistakes had been made in the evaluation process. More than 200 candidates appeared in this examination.
After this, PSC had announced to re-evaluate all the answer sheets and release a new rank list. However, the candidates allege that till now no concrete steps have been taken to start the process of re-evaluation.
This controversy is no longer limited to just one examination. Many other government recruitments in the state have also come under the scanner. Complaints have also been lodged regarding the recruitment process of Fisheries Extension Officer, Assistant Information Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Special Recruitment), Assistant Professor in Law Colleges, Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) and Public Relations Officer in Universities.
According to government sources, the concerned ministers have demanded from Chief Minister VD Satheesan to conduct an impartial inquiry into all these recruitment processes. The government is now considering handing over these complaints also to the Vigilance Department.
–IANS
VKU/DKP