Kerala Public Service Commission stalls finance department inspection

Thiruvananthapuram: The ongoing tussle between the government and Kerala Public Service Commission took a new turn on Monday with commission officials refusing permission to finance department inspection wing to carry out inquiry into the financial irregularities.

The members of the inspection wing arrived at the PSC campus to look into the financial mismanagement and irregularities.  

However, the PSC secretary refused to entertain their request for inspection pointing out that prior permission of the commission was mandatory for any such exercise.

Any decision on allowing the finance inspection wing to conduct the inquiry could be taken only by full PSC meeting.

The PSC would intimate the finance department about its decision after examining the request of inspection wing, commission officials said.

It may be recalled that the government had directed the finance inspection wing to carry out a detailed inquiry into the financial wrongdoings in the commission.

Even though the chief secretary had recommended a vigilance probe into the issue, the chief minister had rejected the proposal.

The chief minister wanted the finance inspection wing to conduct the inquiry and decision on further probe by any agency would be taken only on the basis of the findings of finance department.

Meanwhile, the treasury restriction on the financial transactions involving PSC.  Sources said a PSC delegation is expected to meet the chief minister to discuss and sort out the existing problems.