Thiruvananthapuram: The General Administration Department (GAD) has rejected the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman MK Sakeer's request to foot his wife's travel expenses. Even Ministers are not entitled to this privelege, the department has informed. The Chief Minister will be initimated about the same through proper channels.
On April 30, the PSC chief had made a note on the reimbursement in the file. PSC Secretary, Saju George subsequently handed over the chairman's request to the GAD. The respective file will be handed over by the GAD to the Chief Minister's office.
Sakeer, who courted a row over a letter to the government demanding reimbursement of his wife's travel expenses whenever she joins him for official trips, has said that his request was misinterpreted.
In a press release, the PSC office said the reports in media about the government footing the travel expenses of the chairman’s wife were misleading.
The spouses of state PSC chiefs are invited during the annual national summit of the latter. In fact, the spouses are invited only for this event. There is no clear directive on seeking the government's permission when the spouse accompanies the PSC chairman of Kerala. The letter was sent for action in this regard, it was said.
The last line of the PSC’s letter to the government said: “An order should be issued on giving travel expenses to the PSC chairman's wife when she travels with him on official trips both within and outside the state."
It is said this part of the letter led to the confusion.
However, the chairman did not respond when asked if he would send in a clarification to the government.
His secretary said that the PSC would give an explanation if the government asked for it. When certain members pointed out that the secretary should have checked the letter, he claimed that the chairman had seen the draft of the letter.
The PSC is entitled to hold discussions with the government on disbursing money for travel expenses. This was needed for efficient and transparent functioning, the press release said.
The press release also claimed that the reports about the chairman buying a new official car were aimed at defaming him.
"Though he is using two cars, the fuel intake is far less than what the former chairmen used. The PSC has not suffered any financial loss due to this," the chairman's office said. There were reports in media that the PSC chairman was using two official cars.
The chairman is currently entitled to a remuneration of more thann Rs 1.5 lakh, official goverment residence and a DA equivalent to civil service allowance.
