Home minister says he asked for Kempaiah as adviser

Trying to put an end to speculations and adverse comments, Home Minister K J George on Monday said it was he who had requested the chief minister to appoint Kempaiah, a retired police officer, as his adviser.

The minister said the appointment was to improve administration in the department. “Kempaiah was appointed as my adviser at my behest. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has nothing to do with it. I requested the assistance of Kempaiah for better administration.

 There have been several problems I have been facing, especially in terms of political interference in transfers and appointments. Kempaiah’s advice will be taken into account in such matters and also for the modernisation of the police force in the State,” George said.

He dismissed speculation that Kempaiah’s appointment would see a parallel power centre in his department. “Kempaiah will give me advice. Whether I take it or not is my choice. I will take the final decision. There will be no interventions in appointments and transfers. This will continue in the future, too. My competence can’t be judged by his appointment. I am an able Home minister,” he said.

George said the prime minister, the Union Home minister and chief ministers of various states had advisers. “Does that mean they are all weak administrators? It was my personal choice.” “By appointing an adviser, we are setting a good precedent.”Asked about the transfer of nine IPS officers being stalled within hours of Kempaiah’s appointment as his adviser, George said they were cases taken into consideration on humanitarian grounds and for official reasons.

“In one case, a lady officer’s transfer was rescinded on account of her having a newborn baby. In the case of B Shivakumar, the Joint Commissioner of Police (East) Bangalore, we decided against his transfer as he was in the middle of a procedure to select sub-inspectors. It was a decision taken purely by me and the chief minister,” George said.

He said Kempaiah had been given only a minister-of-state status and he was chosen for his experience which may prove vital for reforms in administration.Kempaiah did not speak during the entire interaction with the media. 

He took charge on Monday morning and is yet to be allotted an office.