Democracy Undermined: Former Governor Arlekar Seeks Removal of Keralam PSC Chairperson, Members

Thiruvananthapuram: Former Governor Rajendra Arlekar has recommended to the President that the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) chairperson and its members be removed. The recommendation was made just before he stepped down as governor. It seeks the removal of PSC chairperson M R Baiju and 16 members. This is the first such move in the state's history.

The governor's move came before the government-ordered inquiry into the PSC's functioning had even submitted a report. The ongoing Crime Branch investigation into the PSC evaluation process has not found any offence against the chairperson or members.

Under normal circumstances, the governor takes action based on a recommendation from the state Cabinet after receiving the inquiry report. In this case, however, Arlekar proceeded with the decision on his own.

The PSC, which handles highly confidential recruitment matters, is an autonomous institution with defined powers. It falls under the Chief Minister V D Satheesan, who oversees the General Administration Department. Therefore, the recommendation must have been sent with the chief minister's knowledge. Satheesan had shown excessive deference to Arlekar on various issues, including university appointments.

The governor's move is being viewed as an attempt to interfere in the PSC, similar to his interventions in university syndicate and senate matters and vice-chancellor appointments. The allegation is that the move aims to induct Sangh Parivar sympathisers into the commission and advance a communal agenda.

The Keralam PSC is among the country's most transparent systems for conducting state government recruitments. It alleged that the Congress and BJP had long been conspiring to undermine the commission and described the ongoing inquiry as part of that effort.

Despite there being no prima facie evidence of corruption or irregularities, an inquiry was ordered solely on the basis of allegations, with the aim of weakening the PSC. The recommendation by the former governor is also part of an attempt to discredit the PSC.