K.T. Adeeb, a relative of Minister for Minority Welfare K.T. Jaleel, has decided to quit from the post of general manager, Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation (KSMDFC), less than a fortnight after the Muslim Youth League (MYL) accused the Minister of nepotism in his appointment.
The director board of the public sector undertaking (PSU) will meet here on Monday to discuss the issue.
V.K. Akbar, managing director, KSMDFC, told The Hindu on Sunday that Mr. Adeeb, a senior manager with South Indian Bank, had expressed his wish to return to his parent organisation. “The ongoing slandering campaign might have pained him. Mr. Adeeb sent the resignation letter by mail on Sunday.” he said.
Mr. Adeeb is reported to have pointed out that though he wanted to serve the poor, his self-esteem had been questioned by the whole episode. The post of general manager was reserved for an official on deputation from other government departments or statutory bodies.
It was Muslim Youth League general secretary P.K. Firos who alleged on November 3 that the Minister had flouted rules to appoint his relative as a senior official in the PSU. How South Indian Bank, a scheduled bank, could be termed a ‘statutory body’ was a question the MYL had raised.
Both the KSMDFC and the Minister reiterated that those who appeared for the interview were not qualified for the post. Mr. Adeeb was asked if he could join the organisation later. The MYL also claimed that the qualification criteria for the post was changed to help select Mr. Adeeb. Mr. Jaleel continued to maintain that he had not done anything wrong and Mr. Adeeb was appointed on a one-year contract considering “his expertise in banking.”
