PSC Planning Board exam row: Kerala govt considers vigilance probe; more complaints emerge

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government is considering transferring the investigation into alleged irregularities in a Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) recruitment examination for chief-level posts in the State Planning Board to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), amid criticism over the commission's internal inquiry.

The Home Department has decided to seek legal opinion on whether there are any legal obstacles to ordering a vigilance investigation into allegations involving the PSC, which is a constitutional body. The issue is expected to come before the next state Cabinet meeting.

Concerns over internal investigation

The move follows criticism of the PSC's ongoing internal inquiry, with questions raised about its independence.

The investigation is being conducted by an official who works under the PSC chairman. Critics have argued that such an arrangement could affect the credibility of the probe. Against this backdrop, the government is examining whether the investigation should instead be handled by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Evaluation lapse in Planning Board examination

The controversy centres on a common examination conducted to recruit candidates for chief-level posts in three divisions of the State Planning Board.

The PSC later admitted that 10 answers had not been evaluated during the assessment of answer scripts.

By the time the lapse came to light, rank lists for two of the posts had already been published and two candidates had been appointed.

The error emerged after a complaint was filed before the Kerala Administrative Tribunal. During the proceedings, the PSC acknowledged that part of the answer scripts had not been evaluated.

More than 200 candidates had appeared for the examination. The PSC subsequently announced that all answer scripts would be re-evaluated and the rank lists revised. However, the re-evaluation process has not yet begun.

More recruitment complaints under review

The Planning Board examination is one of several recruitment processes that have attracted complaints submitted to the Chief Minister and state ministers regarding the functioning of the PSC.

According to the report, complaints have also been raised over recruitment to posts including Fisheries Extension Officer, Assistant Information Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Special Recruitment), Assistant Professor in Law Colleges, Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) and University Public Relations Officer.

Departmental ministers have reportedly asked the Chief Minister to ensure impartial investigations into these complaints. The government is also considering referring these cases to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for investigation.