THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) has scheduled to hear the controversial college principal appointment case today. The Tribunal advised the Kerala state government to present all documents related to the principal’s appointment.
Amidst the rising controversy surrounding the appointment of principals in government arts and science colleges, the Kerala Administrative Tribunal is strengthening its opposition against the government. In this regard, it has directed the production of all files and mandated the presence of an officer not below the rank of Additional Secretary during the tribunal proceedings.
In its interim judgment on June 30, the tribunal ruled that the principal should be appointed from the list of 43 individuals approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
However, the government filed a review petition and subsequently added more names to the PSC-approved list, leading to uproar and demands for the resignation of the state’s Higher Education Minister R Bindu. It is alleged that some candidates were included in the list based on political favors.
The Tribunal’s stance was further reinforced when an RTI document revealed that the higher education minister’s interference resulted in the inclusion of ineligible candidates in the government arts and science college principal recruitment list. The initial list of 43 candidates, prepared by the selection committee under UGC regulations, was altered following the minister’s intervention.
On July 24, the tribunal reasserted its directive to the government, urging them to make appointments only from the list of 43 individuals published on January 11. Seven individuals from this list have filed a case through their advocates, seeking their appointment as principals.
While considering the execution petition filed by these seven individuals, the Tribunal issued an order.
Meanwhile, the government has not complied with the tribunal’s two interim judgments.
As a result, the tribunal issued an urgent order to produce all files and documents, including minutes of the department promotion committee meeting and a copy of the related note file. The situation remains tense as the appointment controversy continues to unfold.
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