Kerala govt to form new law against 'nepotism' in appointments to key posts

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Government on Thursday decided to bring a law to prevent nepotism in appointments in key positions in public sector units, a decision which comes in wake of a controversy over certain appointments in the PSUs in the Industrial Department. The decision in this regard was taken at a cabinet meeting here this morning chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. [caption id=“attachment_2988804” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. PTI[/caption] The cabinet also entrusted Chief Secretary SM Vijayanand to examine the various complaints with regard to the appointments which have become controversial. “This is to prevent nepotism in appointments,” a statement quoting the Chief Minister said. The cabinet also decided that henceforth vigilance clearance would be mandatory for appointment of posts like Managing Director and General Manager in state PSUs Besides this, a committee of national level experts will be henceforth make appointments in senior posts in PSUs in the state, he said. The LDF government is facing flak after Industries Minister EP Jayarajan appointed some of his close relatives in key posts in some state PSUs. Jayarajan had appointed PK Sudheer, his nephew and son of CPI(M)Kannur MP P K Sreemathi, as Managing Director of Kerala State Industrial Enterprises Ltd. The minister had also appointed his brother’s daughter-in-law Dipthi Nishad as General Manager of Kerala Clay and Ceramics Products Ltd at Kannur. Following the heat generated over the issue after Congress-led UDF and BJP launched agitation, Sudheer’s posting was quashed by the government and Dipthi, who had taken charge, resigned.