Pollution control chief K Sajeevan to stay

KOCHI: Amid strong protest, the state government has given extension to Pollution Control Board chairman K. Sajeevan, whose term ended on December 1. This is the fourth time the government is extending his term. The government instructed him to continue till a new appointment is made. As per the state government’s order pm December 23 accessed by the DC, K. Sajeevan will continue to hold the post of PCB chairman till a new appointment is made to the post. Sajeevan who has already completed 34 years in service and served as chairman for eight years, has been at the centre of a row over the three extensions given to him.

He has been continuing in office through extensions since 2013. He was first appointed in 2010 amd got extension in 2013, and later in 2014 and 2015. The National Green Tribunal had ordered the removal of PCB chiefs in 10 states for failure to meet ‘requisite qualifications’ for the post including Kerala in June 2016. But the Supreme Court quashed the order in August. However, the SC while considering another petition in September has instructed chief secretaries of all the states to frame appointment rules for PCB chiefs and make appointment as per rules within six months, i.e. before March 2018.

When asked if he will continue to hold the post till March, Mr Sajeevan told DC that he will  till a new chairperson is appo-inted. He said he had no idea about the appointments being made or the new PCB rules to be formulated by the state. Meanwhile, a group of employees under the banner Save PCB Forum has demanded his immediate removal. It will be a violation of promise by the CM in the Assembly if he is given another extension, they alleged members of the forum alleged.  Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau, Central Range has recently registered case against K. Sajeevan for misusing power to renew the licence of Sree Sakthi Paper Mills at Edayar in violation of norms.

(With inputs from Archana Ravi)