If appointment of Vice Chancellors of various universities in the State has been proving a major headache for the Oommen Chandy government, selection of heads of R&D institutions under the State government is turning out to be trickier still. As it is, the Kozhikode-based Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) and the Thrissur-headquartered Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), two other R&D institutions under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), are headless despite High Court order for immediate appointment of directors. A third institution under the Council is due to have a new director by mid-November and a lot appears to be happening behind the scenes.
One possibility that many in the institution dread is that of someone who does not possess the requisite qualifications getting picked for the job merely because of political connections. With two MRTS projects on the anvil in the State capital and Kozhikode, NATPAC is bound to be at the centre of action soon and, naturally, many are eyeing the coveted post of NATPAC director. The present incumbent is a Grade G scientist with 30 years’ experience, specialisation in urban highway engineering and structural engineering and doctorate in pavement engineering. What the institution needs is a person of similar qualifications and calibre to take on new transportation challenges.
When the file for appointment of a new director reached Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, he was certain that only a person with the requisite qualifications should head NATPAC. He, therefore, wrote in the file that the post should be advertised and the present incumbent asked to continue in office till a new person is picked. However, the file is taking its sweet time to travel to the authorities concerned.
Malayalis have enjoyed with a smile Adoor Bhasi’s song in the 1966 film Sthaanaarthi Saramma , which also speaks of the poll promise to construct an airport on the canal bank. People of Kannur are smiling the same way as they see the Kannur airport project turning out to be the subject of a raging debate in the local body elections.
Everything used to be normal as regards the airport development with neither the UDF nor the LDF raising any issue that could be deemed an obstacle to the project.
But, over the past one month, that solidarity appears to have developed cracks with local CPI(M) legislator E.P. Jayarajan declaring that trial landing at the airport, scheduled for December, will not be permitted as the State government is planning to curtail the length of the runway so that the airport could be inaugurated in time for the Assembly elections. The trigger for his protest was Information Minister K.C. Joseph’s statement that the trial landing would take place in the first stretch of 3,050 metres, which would be completed by May 2016. Mr. Jayarajan wants the runway to be 4,000 metres long before the airport is commissioned. The confrontation has given rise to the fear that the project will turn out to be yet another political football with disastrous consequences. Project officials, however, are not troubled. They say everything will be back to normal once the local government elections are over.
Exemption from election duty is generally considered either a matter of luck or one of privilege for government employees. With the civic body elections round the corner, government employees, including teachers, are making a beeline for their bosses seeking exemption from poll duty.
When some of them approached the Malappuram Collector directly, many others are turning to people having influence on the Collector. From mother’s illness to wife’s pregnancy, excuses given are aplenty. Apart from top politicians and civil service officials, those approached for recommendations to the Collector include the peon at the Collectorate and journalists working at district headquarters.
But, if one were to go by word from the Collectorate, few would be lucky as there are strong guidelines from the State Election Commission on exemption.
With inputs from
S. Anil Radhakrishnan (Thiruvananthapuram), Mohamed Nazeer (Kannur) and Abdul Latheef Naha (Malappuram)
With two MRTS projects on the anvil, the Chief Minister is keen that the NATPAC director should be a qualified person
