The Public Service Commission (PSC) is a constitutional body. According to the constitution, three members are enough for each state. But today, Kerala PSC has 21 members.
Based on the number of political allies, the number of PSC members in Kerala has been increasing consistently. There has never been any demand to reduce their numbers.
Happy hours for the ruling class begin when old constituents complete their terms, and new members are elected. Now, the price per member is 60 lakhs. That bargain was the news that emerged from Kozhikode. That city in Malabar is now the power-broking epicentre of Kerala.
Recently, news trickled out that a local Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM) leader had received an advance of 22 lakhs in exchange for a PSC membership. Things were promised based on the support of a cabinet minister.
Initially, the Chief Minister did not bother to react much except that the proceedings would follow the rules. The Chief Minister said no money is involved in appointing PSC members.
A person working in the health sector (a native of Kozhikode) agreed to the deal. It was fixed for 60 lakh rupees with the assurance that the matter would be done through CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s son-in-law, Kerala PWD Minister Mohammed Riyas. According to the complainant, the victim paid Rs 22 lakh to the CPM youth leader as the first instalment.
However, the payer’s name was not included when the CPM selected PSC members. When he complained, the ‘victim’ was persuaded by offering him a position in the Ayush department. But that didn’t happen either. This is when the complaint reached the CPM party.
It is indicated that the voice message confirming the deal was also forwarded along with the complaint.
The CPM state leadership conducted a preliminary investigation into the complaint. The state leadership was convinced that the deal had been done. However, the matter was not discussed in the state secretariat. Kozhikode district committee has informed the state leadership of their findings.
The complaint has been raised against a young leader at the CPM area level. Doubts have also been raised about whether he has the support of other leaders. The party leadership has decided to conduct a detailed investigation into the complaint.
Riyas also believes that the matter should be investigated. The person who gave the money is close to CPM. No complaint has been filed with the police. The party leadership is trying to resolve the incident before it reaches the police and the court.
The opposition raised the allegation in the Legislative Assembly, citing the news. During the question and answer session, MLA N. Shamsuddin pointed out the matter on behalf of the deputy leader of the opposition, M.K. Muneer. Both are Indian Union Muslim League (MLA) leaders.
“A ruling party leader asked someone for a bribe of Rs 60 lakh to become a PSC member. Of this, 22 lakh rupees were handed over to the leader, and the party secretariat is investigating the incident. Even before this, there were allegations of accepting money from PSC member aspirants. What action would be taken on this allegation coming from Kozhikode?” Shamsudeen asked.
“No one can allege that corruption is involved in recruiting or appointing PSC members. There are no deviant methods. Many scams are going on in the state. There will be a natural course of action for that,” replied the Chief Minister.
It is reported that CPM Kozhikode town area committee member Pramod Kottooli took the bribe. He will be removed from the CPM and CITU membership. The CPM also appointed a four-member commission to investigate the allegations.
A lady doctor’s husband paid the amount on behalf of the doctor. In the first phase, Rs 20 lakh was transferred for membership and Rs 2 lakh for other expenses. Kottooli promised to give PSC membership on payment of Rs 60 lakh.
The doctor did not get a membership after paying. Later, she was offered a higher post in the AYUSH Mission, but it did not happen. With this, a complaint was filed against Kottooli to the CPM party leadership.
Why is the Chief Minister unwilling to insist that the son-in-law minister is not corrupt?
Riyas had alleged that the Kozhikode CPM district committee office was in the grip of some ‘rackets’ in party official forums. Party district leadership and some other state leaders disagreed with this. Riyas also rubbished the latest allegations.
Several CPM cronies get help and protection for many transactions like fixing rent for real estate, quarry, other constructions and corporation buildings with the connivance of some CPM leaders. After Riyas became minister, there were some defections in this caucus.
DYFI leader Kottooli, once Riyas’s right-hand man, is now with CITU leader Elamaram Kareem. Kareem is a former Rajya Sabha MP defeated by a Congress candidate in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Some state leaders are also with him. That is why Kottooli courageously said, ‘If there is a complaint or a case against me, let the party say it.’
If the party takes action against Kottooli alone, scandals against more leaders will emerge. So, the CPM is delaying the action as much as possible.
Incidentally, Kottooli is the town centre of Kozhikode. Kareem, Riyas and the accused Kottooli are all neighbours of this fast-growing locality.
