BENGALURU: The issue of KPSC nominees is threatening to blow up into a major controversy with Governor Vajubhai Vala returning the related file and the government showing no signs of a rethink on its choice.
The State government had recommended names for the post of Chairman and members of the KPSC and sent it to the Governor. But the Governor in a detailed note has raised serious objections against the candidates recommended by the government and has made it clear that he cannot consider the names unless they are accompanied by vigilance reports from the respective departments and also vetted by the Lokayukta. The State government has, in its response, defended its choice.
“There are no vigilance reports of the persons proposed except Syed Ulfat Hussain and that too not vetted by the Lokayukta,” the Governor said in the note sent to the Chief Minister.
It may be recalled that the list sent by the government includes the names of Syed Ulfat Hussain, Govindaiah, Raghunandan Ramanna, Dr Ravikumar, Nagabhai Bulla and Michael Simon.
The Governor has drawn the attention of the State government to the Supreme Court verdict in a case related to appointment of a former MLA as Punjab Public Service Commission chief and also the recommendations of the second Administrative Reforms Commission on the issue to defend his decision to return the list.
“A member selected from among government officers should have held office under a State government or the Union government for atleast 10 years, and should have occupied the position of a Head of Department or Secretary to the government in a State or a comparable position in an institution of higher education,” the Governor said.
Vajubhai also stated that a member selected from non-official background should have practised at least for 10 years in any of the recognised professions like teaching, law, medicine, engineering, science, accountancy or administration.”
The Governor has conveyed a strong message against appointing any person with political affiliations and suspected integrity. “It is absolutely essential that the best and finest talent should be drawn in the administration. The administrative services must be composed of men who are honest, upright and independent and who are not swayed by the political winds blowing in the country,” the Governor said in his note.
“The file is returned herewith with advice to the State government to examine the proposal in the light of the above observations and parameters,” he said.
The State government is believed to have added one more name to the list by including Mruthyunjaya, Managing Director of Valmiki ST Development Corporation, for appointment as a member. The government had earlier submitted a list of six names for appointment as members of KPSC, the number now has gone up to seven.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, responding to the developments, said that the State government had sent its reply (through the Chief Secretary) to the Governor about its choice and expressed confidence that the Governor would approve the list.