Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 4 (PTI) Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said that former Governor of the state, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, sent his recommendation to the President for removal of the Kerala PSC chairman without any discussion with the government.
Satheesan, at a press conference here following a cabinet meeting chaired by him, said that the Governor was expected to discuss with the government before giving a recommendation to the President, but it was not done.
"The Governor cannot express such views on his own. Under the Constitution, the Governor should communicate the considered opinion of the government," he said.
The CM said that such a recommendation by Arlekar cannot be used to hide the irregularities committed in the conduct of examinations by the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC).
He claimed that the CPI(M)-led LDF opposition was trying to protect the PSC officials from any action by citing the recommendation given by the former Governor.
Satheesan further claimed that "shocking acts of irregularities" in the conduct of exams by the PSC have been revealed in the probe conducted till now by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch.
Once the investigation report comes, appropriate action in accordance with law will be taken, he assured.
The CM further said that several complaints are coming with regard to alleged irregularities in the conduct of various other exams conducted by the PSC, and all of them are being handed over to the SIT.
"Let the investigation be completed," he said.
Arlekar had sent a letter to President Droupadi Murmu recommending the removal of PSC chairman M R Baiju, citing allegations of irregularities and an investigation into the statutory body’s functioning.
The former Governor had also referred the matter to the Supreme Court.
