Kannur: Even as Kerala minister KT Jaleel defended the controversial appointment of his close relative to a top government job, fresh evidence has emerged of attempts to violate norms.
The Minister of Higher Education and Minority Affairs had insisted that K T Adeeb was appointed as general manager of the Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation (KSMDFC) because he was the only qualified hand. However, evidence has now emerged that a qualified candidate from the public sector was dumped to facilitate the induction of Adeeb, who was drawn from a private bank. Besides, the post was kept vacant for two years because another minister had landed in a nepotism row.
Jaleel hanged on to the plea of adequate eligibility as norms dictate that only those who come from government service on deputation should fill the post. However, the candidate who was kept out was highly qualified – a post-graduate degree holder who in addition had an MBA and five years' experience in a top job in a public sector undertaking. He stayed away from the interview because he had gathered confidential information that a revised government notification for the post was intended only to help the minister's relative.
The minister argues that the 'lone qualified' hand, Adeeb, was contacted as the 'services of an experienced hand' was essential for the corporation. However, it should be noted that the really qualified candidate was not contacted even at that stage.
It is said that Jaleel's office advised Adeeb not to attend the interview on October 26, 2016, because a controversy was raging over nepotism charges against another CPM minister, E P Jayarajan. The post was then kept vacant for nearly two years, before Adeeb was appointed.
Vacancy created deliberately
Interestingly, an official working as general manager at the KSMDFC was eased out to create a vacancy for Adeeb. The recommendation of the director board that the services of the official was essential was rejected, and he was sent back to the Women's Development Corporation, where he worked as a regional manager. Such forced exit of the experienced hand was managed after just one year's deputation, when rules allow an extension of up to five years.
Jaleel's hand seen in another appointment
Kondotty, Kozhikode: Allegations have been aired that an appointment was made at the State Hajj Committee office at Karipur in violation of rules because Jaleel was interested. As per norms, employees working with other government departments are taken on deputation at the office to fill permanent vacancies. However, it has been alleged that a woman was appointed violating the norms because the minister intervened.
The woman's appointment has not been confirmed, but has been working for nearly two years. The office has four permanent vacancies for clerks. The allegation is that the appointment was made ignoring deputation applications though the post fell vacant two years back.
