Former Keralam Governor Arlekar recommends President to remove PSC chairperson; Opposition LDF calls move unconstitutional

In a formal letter addressed to the President of India, former Governor Arif Mohammed Khan Arlekar urged the removal of the current chairperson of the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC). He based his request on a Crime Branch investigation that is examining alleged irregularities in the PSC examination process for certain posts within the State Planning Board. The investigation, which is still underway, focuses on possible manipulation of selection criteria and the involvement of senior officials in the examination process.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF), which leads the state government, responded by labeling the governor's recommendation as unconstitutional. Party leaders argued that the PSC operates as an independent constitutional body and that any removal of its chairperson must follow due process as outlined in the Constitution. They called for a parliamentary committee to review the findings of the Crime Branch before any action is taken, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the state's recruitment system.

The controversy has reignited a broader debate about the autonomy of public service commissions in India and the role of former governors in influencing state affairs. For readers in Kerala, the issue is significant because the PSC is responsible for hiring thousands of civil servants who manage essential public services. Any perceived compromise in its functioning could affect the quality of governance and public trust in the state's institutions.