Kerala Governor seeks legal route against PSC, may report irregularities to President

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar is intervening in the alleged PSC examination irregularities in the state. With around 100 complaints having been received, he is considering submitting a report to the President of India.

As the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) is a constitutional body, the President has the authority to take action against it. If the President refers the matter to the Supreme Court for an inquiry, the Governor can suspend the PSC chairman and members. Based on the Supreme Court’s findings, the President can take steps to dissolve the PSC.

The Governor is reportedly not satisfied with the steps taken by the state government or the ongoing Crime Branch investigation. Lok Bhavan sources said he has sought legal advice on possible stringent action against the PSC. The Governor's office believes that there has been no major breakthrough in the examination irregularities controversy, which has continued for nearly two months.

Although around 100 complaints have been received regarding examination irregularities, a case has so far been registered only in connection with the Planning Board examination fraud. The investigation team has said that the other complaints are being examined and appropriate action will be taken. In an unprecedented move, police had also entered the PSC's examination division and examined records as part of the investigation.

Young people have been protesting in several parts of the country over alleged irregularities in PSC examinations. The Left has also extended support to such protests. The present Kerala PSC was appointed during the tenure of the LDF government.

What Article 317 says

As the PSC is an independent constitutional body, the Governor cannot directly remove or dissolve it.

The President can refer a matter to the Supreme Court for an inquiry based on a report from the Governor. If a Supreme Court inquiry is ordered, the Governor can suspend the PSC chairman and members. If the Supreme Court's inquiry makes adverse findings against the PSC, the President can take steps to dissolve the commission.