Ex-governor seeks Keralam PSC chief's removal, Vijayan questions move's legality

The development comes amid a Crime Branch investigation into alleged irregularities in the PSC examination for the post of chief of the State Planning Board. The probe was later expanded to other examinations.

In Short

• Ex-Governor Arlekar writes to President seeking Baiju's removal over recruitment irregularities
• Vijayan urges UDF government to oppose move and uphold the commission's autonomy
• Health Minister supports removal, LDF warns move benefits BJP-led Centre

Keralam Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday questioned the constitutional validity of former Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s recommendation to remove Public Service Commission chairman MR Baiju and demanded that the UDF government clarify its stand.

Vijayan’s response came after Lok Bhavan sources said Arlekar had written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking Baiju’s removal over alleged recruitment irregularities. The letter was sent about a week before Arlekar was relieved as Keralam governor following his transfer to Tamil Nadu.

The development comes amid a Crime Branch investigation into alleged irregularities in the PSC examination for the post of chief of the State Planning Board. The probe was later expanded to other examinations conducted by the commission.

VIJAYAN QUESTIONS CONSTITUTIONAL VALIDITY

Vijayan said reports about a recommendation to remove the chairman and dissolve the commission raised “grave constitutional concerns”.

“Under Article 317, the President can remove a PSC Chairman or member on grounds of misbehaviour only after the Supreme Court, following an inquiry, has reported that they should be removed,” he said.

The former chief minister said no such inquiry had been conducted against members of the Keralam PSC. He also raised concerns about Lok Bhavans being used to advance the BJP-ruled Centre’s political agenda.

“The UDF Government must clarify its stand and unequivocally oppose any attempt to bypass constitutional procedures or undermine institutional autonomy,” he said.

Citing Article 163, Vijayan said the governor was required to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. He added that PSC members served fixed terms and were not replaced whenever a government changed.

COMPLAINTS PROMPTED GOVERNOR’S ACTION

According to Lok Bhavan sources, Yuva Morcha and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad submitted complaints to Arlekar alleging irregularities in the commission, which recruits staff for state government services.

Arlekar sought a report from the PSC’s internal vigilance wing and examined the police investigation report before writing to the President, sources said.

They also said he referred the matter to the Supreme Court, though details of the reported reference were not provided.

Lok Bhavan officials described the removal recommendation as unprecedented in the state. Arlekar, who had also held additional charge of Tamil Nadu, has been succeeded in Keralam by Om Prakash Mathur.

MINISTER BACKS MOVE, LDF OPPOSES IT

Health Minister K Muraleedharan backed the recommendation, saying the state-ordered investigation had exposed irregularities in the commission.

He called for its dissolution and blamed the previous LDF government for the decline in its functioning. “It turned into an organisation with corruption. The negative result of this is what we are witnessing,” he said.

LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan, however, said the move threatened the commission’s independence and served the BJP’s political interests. He said the governor should protect its autonomy.

- Ends