Bengaluru: The discontent over not granting cabinet minister status to chiefs of state-run boards and corporations has come to the fore after Karnataka Forest Development Corporation Limited Chairman Chalavadi T. Narayanaswamy posted a message on Facebook soon after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accorded minister of state status to Congress spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa last week.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Mr Narayanaswamy said, “My message on Facebook should be seen as anti-party activity, it should be considered a suggestion to Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah and other leaders.”
He added that there was nothing wrong in granting ministerial status to Mr Kalappa but chairpersons of boards and corporations too are leaders of repute and need to be given such status. “There is an anomaly in the yardstick adopted to confer minister of state rank on leaders. I was conferred minister’s rank when I headed the Indian Railway Board (Passenger Services), now if the government does not accord any status, it is like downgrading my position. I am not the only one, there are many leaders who have held senior posts. Ms Rani Satish was a minister and has been made chairman of a corporation. Mr Siddaramaiah should not use two yardsticks to accord such status,” he explained.
He claimed that though Mr Siddaramaiah had cleared appointments to the boards and corporations almost six months ago, till date the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms has not issued guidelines to the chairmen.
“The irony is that we are we are completing six months as chairpersons, but none of us know what our duties are. In the absence of guidelines, these posts will become redundant,” he felt.
What the Facebook post says
Mr. Siddaramaiahji chief minister govt. of Karnataka. If an advocate-cum-legal adviser conferred a state minister rank why not the senior leaders who are the chairman's for Boards and corporations. It will reflect on your Leadership kindly set right the anomaly.
