Kerala HC dismisses PIL against Thomas Isaac’s appointment as Knowledge Economy Mission advisor
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji delivered the order.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji delivered the order.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji delivered the order.
Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the appointment of former Finance Minister Dr Thomas Isaac as advisor to the Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission (KKEM).
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji delivered the order while considering the petition filed by Navas A, who had questioned the legality of the appointment made by the Ex-Officio Secretary of the Department of Planning and Economic Affairs (Development & Innovation).
The court noted that Isaac’s role is honorary, with no remuneration involved. The only financial commitment from the government would be reimbursement of travel expenses, capped at ₹70,000, if he uses his own vehicle.
Navas, claiming to be an RTI activist, argued that there was no department titled Planning and Economic Affairs (Development and Innovation) and that an ex officio secretary had no authority to issue such an order.
In response, the State clarified that the order was issued by the Department of Planning and Economic Affairs and assured the court that the government could ratify the ex officio secretary’s action if required.
KKEM, a project under the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), seeks to create employment opportunities for the educated.
(With LiveLaw inputs)