Kerala: PSC debars two candidates for 3 years for raising ‘allegations’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Public service commission (PSC) has debarred two candidates from examinations even before going public with its decision to act against those who allegedly tried to malign it in public.
According to PSC, it has debarred a candidate from Kozhikode and another from Thiruvananthapuram for a period of three years for raising ‘serious and incorrect allegations’ against it and ‘getting it published through media’.
PSC sources said the decision was based on the disciplinary action it had initiated against the duo for their actions over a year ago and the decision would have a retrospective effect from August 20, 2019. Meanwhile, resentment is brewing in PSC and LDF over the way PSC decided to act against malicious campaigns. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala asked PSC chairman MK Sakeer to regain his senses.
"PSC shouldn’t try to become a court. The threats by PSC chairman is part of the government’s policy. PSC has no right to stop the selection of any candidate, such an act is anti-constitutional. The chairman should retract from this undemocratic move," he said.
Senior CPI leader C Divakaran also urged PSC to stop crucifying job applicants.
"The only responsibility of PSC is to invite applications, conduct exams and prepare rank list based on merit and reservation norms. PSC should stop threatening applicants and instead it should start inquiring into the serious allegations raised by them," he said in a statement issued here.
He said PSC can simplify a lot of its work using technology and observed that the number of nominated members in the commission in Kerala was far too many, compared to other states.
Meanwhile, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday refused to comment on the aggressive position taken by PSC. Instead, he said malicious campaigns against PSC was not desirable for the general good.
However, there are indications that PSC may soon climb down from its aggressive position against applicants who freely express their opinions on its functioning in the media. PSC that is scheduled to meet in the first week on September will discuss the developments in detail.