Guv seeks details on proposed names for KPSC

Governor Vajubhai Vala has kept the ruling Congress guessing by seeking details of the persons whose names have been recommended for appointment to the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

The Governor had sought in writing certain details from Chief Secretary Koushik Mukherjee on Saturday. The government submitted to the Governor in the evening.

On Friday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had met the Governor to greet him New Year wishes. During the interaction, he had also raised the KPSC nomination issue. The BJP had petitioned to the Governor not to give his assent to the appointments as some of the nominees have political background and some are facing charges. It is said that the Governor would take the final decision only after taking legal opinion.

Siddaramaiah was touring Hassan on Saturday. Mukherjee kept him informed about the development over the phone. The details may be submitted to the Governor on Monday, it is learnt.

When contacted by this paper, Mukherjee said: “It is a fact that the Governor has sought more details of the persons sought to be appointed to the KPSC. And, the details have been submitted.”

The chief minister has recommended the name of former legislative council chairman V R Sudarshan for the post of the KPSC chairman, which is a constitutional post. The names of Dr Ravikumar, medical advisor to the chief minister, Raghunandan Ramanna, who had unsuccessfully contested the assembly elections, Prof Nagabai Bulla, Michael Simon, IPS officer Syed Ulfat Hussain and Prof Govindaiah have been recommended as members, to the Governor on December 24. Without the consent of the Governor, the appointments can’t be made.

The BJP has been arguing that Sudarshan and Raghunandan Ramanna have been active in politics, while Govindaiah, Ravikumar and Hussain have been facing various charges. T J Abraham, an activist, had not only petitioned to the Governor against the appointments but also had threatened to move the Supreme Court.

BJP leaders and Abraham have said that even Prof Govindaiah had once contested the Lok Sabha elections. Those who are active in politics should not be appointed as this would go against the Supreme Court direction. Govindaiah is also facing charges of getting a false caste certificate for his wife. The Lokayukta had warned Dr Ravikumar when a patient had alleged that he had accepted bribe while working at the K C General Hospital.

Hussain had given permission for possessing a licensed revolver by one Memon Ibrahim, who was related to the Memon family involved in the Mumbai blast case. The permission was given when Hussain was the Hubli-Dharwad DCP. The officer had given permission much against the rules to M A Dosa and A A Dosa to possess revolvers.