Govt has no right to probe KPSC selection, says Kumaraswamy

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday denied allegations that he was trying to stoke emotions over the KPSC issue and said that the State government has no rights to conduct a probe into the Commission’s selection process.

The JD(S) leader has in a detailed press statement argued that the KPSC has been set up as per the provisions of the Constitution of India. A State government cannot order a probe into the affairs of a body set up under the Constitution. Moreover, if the government does not agree with any proceedings, orders, selection and annual reports of the KPSC, it has to submit such documents to the State legislature along with reasons as per Article 323 of the Constitution, he argued.

“Sanctity of the selection process has to be maintained, but this cannot be achieved by overlooking the law. It is not proper. I have never tried to stoke emotional feelings on the issue. I am not trying to give humanitarian face to any irregularities,” he stated.

Siddaramaiah had in his Independence Day address alleged that vested interests were trying to stoke emotional feelings, indirectly criticising Kumaraswamy for extending his support to those protesting the government’s decision to withdraw 2011 notification on the appointment of gazetted probationers.

Kumaraswamy tried to justify his support to the protesters by listing a number of social welfare programmes and schemes implemented during his tenure as chief minister. Decisions such as ban on arrack and lottery and farm loan waiver were taken due to the humanitarian reasons, he claimed and added that he has similar feelings about the meritorious students affected following the government’s controversial decision.