Thiruvananthapuram: During CPM leader M M Mani’s tenure as the power minister, his private secretary had given a letter of recommendation to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) chairman for making a contract appointment.
The letter, sent on January 16, 2020, recommended to appoint a retired deputy collector of the revenue department as the chief co-ordinator in the KSEB land management unit. The letter requested to consider appointing him on a contract basis and also said that the biodata was attached.
The chief coordinator was in charge of carrying out survey of the KSEB’s land in Idukki district, demarcation and checking encroachments. The monthly salary - Rs 75,000.
The order was issued on March 6 along with the letter added as reference. The reference clearly stated that the appointment was made as per the recommendation letter of the minister's private secretary. Though published on the KSEB website as well, it was withdrawn within half-an-hour after some people pointed out that it would be controversial. Subsequently, the reference about the recommendation letter was omitted and the new order was issued on the same date.
The private secretary, who had given the letter, is now a member of the electricity regulatory commission. Though allegations had been raised then that contract appointment norms were not followed, these were allegedly sidestepped after interventions by higher-ups.