Jaleel's Nepotism row: CM was aware of appointment

Applications were invited for the interview to appoint the General Manager of State Minorities Development Corporation. But Jaleel's relative Adeeb did not attend the interview. Yet it has now come out in the open that the appointment was done with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's approval.

Thiruvananthapuram: Amidst the controversy in the appointment of Minister KT Jaleel's relative KT Adeeb, evidence to show that the appointment was done with the knowledge of the Chief Minister has come out. Documents have come out to substantiate that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had signed the documents relating to the document. The Chief Minister has signed the file recommending a change in the qualification of August 9, 2016.

Applications were invited for the interview to appoint the General Manager of State Minorities Development Corporation. But Jaleel's relative Adeeb did not attend the interview. Later, new criteria were fixed a revised qualification was announced to the same post.

A letter written by KT Jaleel to the public administration secretary seeking a change in the qualification was released the other day. Following that documents revealing the CM had also signed the file has come out now.

The documents revealed that the appointment was made on the basis of educational qualifications as per the decision of the Cabinet along with the opinion of the Finance Department.

The fact that the cabinet decision cannot be passed without the signature of the Chief Minister is a clear indication that the CM was also aware of the appointment.

The Kerala Lokayukta on Friday stated that Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel was guilty of Nepotism. Lokayukta has also declared that Jaleel should step down from the Minister post and asked the Chief Minister of Kerala to take action against Jaleel.

Jaleel wanted the qualification for the post of General Manager in the Corporation to be made BTech with PGDBA, so that his relative could be eligible. Despite the Lokayukta verdict that Jaleel was guilty, CPM and the government backs Jaleel and said he won't step down immediately.