Kozhikode: K T Adeeb might have stepped down from the government post but Youth League general secretary P K Firoz is no mood to let Kerala Minister K T Jaleel breathe easy. He has now turned on the heat and has dragged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, too, into the controversy.
"It was K T Jaleel who changed the educational qualifications needed for the post of general manager of Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation (KSMDFC)," Firoz said in a press conference here on Wednesday. He alleged that Jaleel had requested CM Pinarayi to avoid a Cabinet discussion on the matter.
The Youth League leader wanted to know whether the qualification change had the approval of the chief minister. “If no, the chief minister should take action against the minister. The basic qualification for the post was masters in business administration and Jaleel ordered that it be changed to B.Tech and postgraduate diploma in business administration. The qualification was actually lowered. The government secretary A Shajahan had noted on the file that the proposal be routed to the Cabinet for discussion. Instead, the minister took it directly to the chief minister for approval, bypassing the Cabinet,” Firoz alleged.
Firoz also produced copies of the signed directions given out from the minister's office to expose what he called Jaleel's 'direct involvement' in the appointment of his relative. The Youth League demanded that the minister resign immediately and face the probe. “The chief minister, too, is answerable for this clear case of nepotism. If Jaleel has a clear conscience, he should allow our petition for a Vigilance enquiry into the case,” Firos said.
Adeeb had worked with South Indian Bank earlier and reportedly told the KSMDFC to end his deputation and allow him to return to his parent firm. The opposition had alleged that Adeeb was posted without giving any advertisement and that qualifications were diluted to favour him. The CPM state secretariat had rallied behind the minister and rejected the opposition demand for his resignation.
Read more: Latest Kerala news
