Kerala: Minister's staff under cloud over degree

KOCHI: Supplyco chairman and managing director (CMD) Dr Asha Thomas ordered action against S. Satheesh Chandran, assistant private secretary of the food and civil supplies minister P. Thilothaman, who had secured the job of personnel officer in Supplyco by falsely showing that he has an MBA secured from the Indira Gandhi National Open University. Since Mr Satheesh has retired from Supplyco, the CMD ordered proceedings including recovery of excess salary and other benefits paid. The CMD is learnt to have acted overcoming political pressure to save Mr Chandran.

Mr Satheesh Chandran, who retired in August from Supplyco service had first got employment in Supplyco as console operator-cum-data entry operator through Employment Exchange. Though he underwent an MBA course in IGNOU, he had not completed it at the time he secured the posting as personnel officer, the proceedings of the CMD says. Mr Chandran was the lone applicant to the post after the recruitment mode to it was changed from direct to in-service.

When it was proved in the inquiry conducted by manager Mr Anil that he did not possess the qualification, the government directed to take disciplinary action against him and a memo of charges was also issued to him. The second domestic inquiry conducted by manager M.R. Deepu also proved the same and a showcause notice was issued to him.

The hearing of Mr Chandran was held by the general manager 12 days before the retirement of Mr Chandran. The report was submitted to the CMD the day Mr Chandran retired. The GM reported that it was only technical that Mr Chandran did not secure the MBA degree at the time of his appointment. However, the CMD rejected this report of the GM and ordered action against Mr Chandran. The CMD has also sought a separate probe against the GM who tried to hush up Mr Chandran’s case.