Kerala Governor summons PSC Secretary over exam irregularities

In a move that has reignited debates over the Governor's constitutional role, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Friday summoned Saju George, Secretary of the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC), in connection with alleged irregularities in the conduct of examinations. The meeting, which lasted approximately 15 minutes, took place at the Raj Bhavan in the evening, according to official sources.

During the interaction, the Governor reportedly sought general information about the current controversy surrounding the PSC and the progress of the investigation. The PSC has been under scrutiny over alleged anomalies in the evaluation process, with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch probing the matter.

This is not the first time the Governor has exercised his authority in such matters. Earlier, his decision to summon State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar over allegations raised by Ciza Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, had sparked a political controversy. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan had registered a strong protest with the Raj Bhavan over that incident, while Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan demanded clarification from the State government on whether the summoning was done without the knowledge of the Chief Minister or the Home Minister.

The latest summoning of the PSC Secretary raises questions about the boundary of executive authority. Under the Constitution, the Governor has a defined supervisory role over the Public Service Commission, including the power to appoint its members and receive its annual reports. However, the day-to-day functioning of the PSC is independent, and any direct intervention by the Governor in specific matters is unusual.

According to constitutional experts, the Governor's action may be seen as an attempt to seek information on a matter of public concern, given that the PSC is a constitutional body that must operate with integrity. However, critics argue that such summons, without involving the State government, could be perceived as overreach.

The State government has not yet issued a formal response to Friday's action. The Opposition, led by the Left Democratic Front, has been vocal in its criticism, calling for transparency in the Governor's dealings with constitutional offices. Meanwhile, the SIT investigation into the PSC scandal continues, and the government has assured the public that all those responsible for any malpractices will be brought to book.

As the controversy unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that the PSC's credibility is restored and that examinations are conducted in a fair and transparent manner. The Governor's office has not disclosed further details of the meeting, but sources indicate that the Secretary has been asked to provide a comprehensive report on the allegations.