CM's physician, seer's relative among new KPSC members

Governor Vajubhai Vala has appointed three officials, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's
personal medical adviser Dr H Ravikumar, and an advocate as the members of Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

Dr Ravikumar, who has been Siddaramaiah's personal physician for over two decades, is currently serving as the superintendent of the state-run K C General Hospital in Bengaluru.

IAS officer Shadakshari Swamy, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Environment
Officer R Lakshminarayana and advocate Srikanth Rao are the three others appointed to the KPSC, as per an official notification. Shadakshari Swamy is
a relative of Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji of Suttur Mutt. Srikanth Rao was associated with the Congress in Raichur district.

Both Lakshminarayana and Srikanth Rao are said to be close to the Chief Minister. The government had recommended these names to the Governor in August this year. But the Governor had returned the list, directing the government to get the Cabinet's approval for it. The Chief Minister's office later sent back the list, clarifying that the the Cabinet had authorised the chief minister to recommend the names for appointment.