LDF govt cancels appointment of CPI-M leader's son

Stung by criticism, the CPI-M led LDF government today cancelled the appointment of a close relative of Industries Minister as Managing Director of the state-run Kerala State Industrial Enterprises LTD (KSIE).
Days after P K Sudheer, son of P K Sreemathi, Kannur MP and a close relative of Industries Minister E P Jayarajan was made MD, the Industries Minister's office today said his appointment has been cancelled.
Jayarajan is married to Sreemathi's younger sister. Sudheer was apppointed on October 1, sources said.
The Managing Director of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation M Beena has been made the new MD of KSIE, sources said.

A press release from the office said the appointment order was issued as he had the requiste qualification.
However, Sudheer sought more time to take charge and gave a letter in this regard to the Industries Secretary.

As government decided not to extend the period for joining, instructions were given on October 3 to cancel his appointment, the release added.
Earlier in the day when asked about the appointment, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the issue had not come to his notice and he would examine the matter.
Usually only qualified persons are appointed in the industries department, he added.

KSIE also has charge of operations of Air Cargocomplexes at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode International Airports.
Kerala Soaps is also owned by the KSIE. KSIE operates offices in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kottayam and Palakkad.
Attacking the government on the issue, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that appointment of relatives in Public Sector Undertakings was a violation of the oath of office.
"Appointing relatives who lack required qualification as heads of Public Sector Undertakings is a violation of the oath of office and amounts to nepotism', he said.
Apparently referring to reports that the LDF government planned to appoint more relatives of party leaders in PSUs,he alleged that government was appointing unqualified persons as heads of various state run institutions just because they are relatives of CPI-M leaders.

Former BJP President V Muraleedharan termed the appointment as 'misuse of power' and said Sudheer was made the MD overlooking the list prepared by the public sector restructuring and internal audit board.