Kerala Minister Siddique says PSC has 'undermined merit', vows no leniency in recruitment probe

Agriculture Minister T. Siddique has accused the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) of undermining the merit system and damaging the credibility of the institution, and has said that anyone found guilty in the ongoing Crime Branch investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment will be brought to justice.

Speaking to media persons on Sunday (October 25), the Minister said the United Democratic Front (UDF) government had taken the matter seriously and decided to order a probe after detailed discussions in the Cabinet. He said the investigation was progressing well and that significant developments were expected in the coming days.

"The government will not spare anyone found responsible for the alleged irregularities, irrespective of their position," Mr. Siddique said.

The Minister accused the present leadership of the PSC of seriously eroding public confidence in the institution, and alleged that its actions had jeopardised the future of Kerala's youth by compromising merit in recruitment. He did not, in his remarks, specify the individual cases or the recruitment examinations concerned.

The Kerala Public Service Commission is a constitutional body, established along with other State Public Service Commissions under Article 315 of the Constitution, and is responsible for recruiting candidates to a large number of posts in the State government and its agencies. Charges of irregularities in its recruitment processes therefore carry wide consequences for aspirants across the State.

Mr. Siddique also accused the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of damaging constitutional institutions during its decade in power, citing universities and the PSC as two sectors where, he said, serious problems had emerged. The UDF government assumed office in 2021.

The allegations have not been independently verified, no findings have been announced in the Crime Branch investigation so far, and no response from the PSC leadership to the Minister's remarks was immediately available.

Separately, the Minister said the government was considering awarding grace marks to students who take an active part in farming, in order to encourage an interest in agriculture. As part of the initiative, 'Kathir Clubs' will be launched in 500 schools this year. The logo of the scheme will be unveiled by the end of this month, with the official launch scheduled for November. The programme aims to promote cultivation at home and in schools and to bring students closer to the agricultural sector.

Mr. Siddique said the government had sanctioned ₹119.68 crore to clear pending compensation for crop losses caused by natural calamities and claims under the crop insurance scheme. Of this, ₹76.68 crore is earmarked for crop-loss compensation and ₹43 crore for crop insurance claims. Of the total sanctioned amount, ₹22.39 crore has already been disbursed, and the remaining sum is to be distributed within two weeks.

The State-level World Soil Day celebrations will be held in Wayanad on December 5, while a State-level programme on tuber crops is scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram on December 4.