Following the nepotism row in which the Lokayukta found Minister KT Jaleel guilty of using his influence to appoint his cousin KT Adeeb, who was a South Indian Bank employee, into government service has taken a new turn. The Lokayukta referred to a letter signed by KT Jaleel to downgrade the qualifications necessary for the post of General Manager to the Kerala State Minority Development Finance Corporation.
Recent reports indicate that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also signed on the documents that downgraded the qualification. Moreover, evidence of Jaleel’s stern orders in the face of criticism from officers as well as opposition from the Minority Affairs Department has also emerged. Jaleel’s excessive interest to appoint Adeeb can be seen in all the files related to the latter’s appointment. The Chief Minister, who fully supported Jaleel during the controversy, approved the change of eligibility for Adeeb on Jaleel’s instructions.
A letter written by Jaleel urging Pinarayi Vijayan to change the eligibility for the appointment of the General Manager of the Minority Development Corporation to favour Adeeb was leaked yesterday. Later, the officials of the department had asked Jaleel whether Cabinet approval was sought for the change of eligibility. Officials said the qualifications for the post of GM had been decided earlier by the cabinet. However, Jaleel wrote in the file that it was not necessary and left the file to the Chief Minister. The latter signed the file on August 9, 2016. It is clear from the files that the officials of the Minority Department had repeatedly questioned the appointment made beyond the conditions.
The Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Minorities wrote on September 28, 2018, that since South Indian Bank was a private bank as per RBI schedule, they couldn’t appoint anyone from there as per-existing conditions. Jaleel intervened in the matter again and clarified that an official of the Co-operative Bank had previously been appointed as the MD of the State Finance Development Corporation. The minister furnished an order on September 28, 2018, to appoint Adeeb since his parent company — South Indian Bank — had given permission. As the minister tightened his grip, the officials withdrew their protest and released Adeeb’s appointment order. The Lokayukta examined Jaleel’s involvement in the appointment file based on all the evidence above and issued a decisive order dismissing the minister.
