THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the controversy over the promotion of former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan’s son, VA Arunkumar, to the post of additional director at the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD), a vigilance probe is on in connection with financial irregularities.
Following a report filed by the Finance and Inspection Wing and Principal Accountant-General, IHRD’s director V Subramanian has been suspended. Arunkumar was not suspended as the probe by Assembly panel, led by V D Satheeshan, is yet to submit its report.
The education department had recommended the suspension of the duo from their respective posts, based on the report filed by the Principal Accountant General on grave irregularities detected in their functioning and suspected swindling of funds of the institution. The Assembly panel is currently looking into various charges levelled against Arunkumar, who has allegedly climbed the professional ladder in an out-of-the- way manner using the influence of his father while he was the Chief Minister.
Apart from getting seated in a top post at IHRD, it is alleged that rules were flouted to get him to the director’s post of the Model Finishing School. The formation of the model finishing school at Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi and elevation of Arunkumar as its director as well as utilisation of institutional funds, among other things, are also under
scrutiny.
Revenue Minister Tiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who is holding the charge of the vigilance department, said that “The education department has recommended his suspension and also sought a probe into the findings on the report. Naturally, the vigilance wing will have to step in.’’
According to the report, Arunkumar’s appointment was only temporary and the mandatory approval of the governing body has not been availed of for it. It has been pointed out that the governing body had not met even once during the past four-and-a-half years.
The academic qualification and professional experience for selection to the post of director of the finishing school were not fixed. Arunkumar didn’t possess seven years’ teaching experience while getting elevated to the principal post nor did he have the requisite qualification to become the director of the finishing school.
“Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would take a final decision with regard to the irregularities in the functioning of the Finishing School and his ascension as additional director of the IHRD. It is not a political revenge as being said by Achuthanandan,” said Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb.