The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) told its special court here last week that former Industries Minister E. P. Jayarajan had pushed aside two legally selected candidates to appoint his relative, P.K. Sudheer, as Managing Director (MD) of the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises Corporation (KSIE).
The court documents, which became public on Wednesday, threw light on the questionable internal process that led to the controversial appointment of Mr. Sudheer as the head of the holding company, which, notably, was also the custodian of the high security Air Cargo Complex inside the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
On June 27, the Industries Department invited applications for appointment of MD in various PSUs. Post graduation in engineering or business administration and 15 years experience was the minimum criteria for application. Candidates should be between 45 and 55 years of age.
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The Public Sector Restructuring and Internal Audit Board (RIAB) shortlisted 42 persons for various posts. It proposed Manesh Pratap Singh and B. Jyothikumar to the post of MD, KSIE. The selection process cost RIAB Rs.14,34,560.
On September 30, Mr. Jayarajan ordered the appointment of Mr. Sudheer as MD, KSIE, “with immediate effect.” He did not obtain clearance from the VACB and ignored the persons in the select list submitted by the interview board.
The order was issued “without public interest and with the knowledge of Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, Paul Antony,” the VACB said.
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Mr. Jayarajan “did not specify the reason” for rejecting the legally selected candidates. The reasons for appointing Mr. Sudheer and later cancelling the order were also not recorded. Paichira Nawaz is the complainant in the case.