Kerala State Vigilance looks into PSU appointments made by EP Jayarajan

KOCHI: The State Vigilance has decided to quickly verify the charges of nepotism in the appointments to the key posts in state PSUs made against Industries Minister EP Jayarajan. Vigilance Director Jacob Thomas had met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the morning and later taken legal opinion on the matter. Further inquiry on the matter would be based on the quick verification.

Earlier in the day the state government announced that it will enact laws to prevent nepotism in the appointments. The state Cabinet that met on Thursday also entrusted the Chief Secretary SM Vijayanad to examine the allegations that have been raised with regard to the controversial appointments. The government has made vigilance clearance compulsory for the appointments to the posts of managing director and general manager.

The Cabinet meeting decided that henceforth appointments to the key posts will be made by a panel of experts which will also have nationally known technocrats. The state Cabinet headed by the chief minister took these decisions on Thursday. Jayarajan has in the meanwhile offered to quit — a day ahead of the crucial party secretariat meeting which will discuss the matter. His fate as a minister will depend on the outcome of this meeting.

The minister had appointed his nephew as the managing director of a PSU and his brother’s daughter in law as the general manager of another state sector unit.