Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday (July 13) met Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Shivshankarappa S. Sahukar was seriously suspended. Sahukar is accused of illegally recruiting his two daughters to the post of Industrial Extension Officer. This step has been taken to ensure fair investigation of the case.
The Governor has also recommended the President to send this matter to the Supreme Court for investigation under Article 317 (1) of the Constitution. In the order issued by the Governor’s Secretariat, it has been said that in view of the seriousness of the allegations, it is necessary to conduct an investigation by the Supreme Court. The Governor directed that till the next order comes, the senior most member of the Commission will discharge the duties of KPSC Chairman. He said suspension was necessary for a fair investigation.
recommendation to the president
The order said that to ensure a fair and pressure-free investigation, Sahukar has been suspended with immediate effect. The order said that the Governor has recommended to the President of India that he appoint Karnataka Public Service Commission Chairman Shivashankarappa S. A reference should be sent to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) of the Constitution of India for necessary investigation into the allegations against Sahukar.
what is the allegation
Actually, the Governor’s Secretariat had received complaints that the Chairman of Sahukar Public Service Commission (KPSC) Shiv Shankarappa S. Sahukar helped his two daughters get illegally selected for the post of Industrial Extension Officer. According to the order, Sahukar did not recuse himself from the recruitment process at a time when both his daughters were involved in the recruitment process of KPSC. He neither declared any conflict of interest nor distanced himself from the recruitment process, which has raised questions on the entire selection process.
Daughter hid the truth
It is alleged that a daughter of Sahukar got the income and caste certificate made by declaring the annual income of the family as Rs 40,000. On the basis of this, he availed the benefit of reservation and creamy layer exemption under Other Backward Class (OBC). While his father was on the post of KPSC President. The allegation is that this fact was deliberately hidden.
Referring to the government order of 2002
The order also mentions the government order of March 30, 2002, according to which the children of the Chairman of the Public Service Commission in Karnataka cannot claim reservation in the backward class quota. It is alleged that Sahukar and his daughter hid this information to take unfair advantage.
Responsibility assigned to senior member
The Governor’s Secretariat said that the details of income and assets and other records presented by the Speaker point towards misconduct.
Therefore, action is necessary under Article 317(1) of the Constitution. The secretariat said that to ensure a fair, independent and without any influence investigation, Sahukar has been suspended till further orders of the President. During this period, the senior most member of the commission has been entrusted with the responsibilities of KPSC Chairman.
Leave a Reply