Bangalore: ‘What Was Medical Education Minister Doing?’ – HC
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Sep 7: The state High Court, on Monday September 6, questioned as to what the state minister for medical education, Ramachandra Gowda, was doing when illegal appointments were made to colleges under his nose. It also expressed surprise at the continuance of the minister in office, even after the government found that the appointments made by his ministry were illegal, and therefore nullified them.
Justice Rammohan Reddy, who was hearing a batch of writ petitions filed by the non-teaching employees of the government medical colleges at Hassan and Mysore, questioning the propriety of the government in cancelling their appointments, posed this question. “The minister concerned is the chairman of the governing councils of these colleges. He also happens to be in the cabinet. The government’s action in cancelling the appointments tantamount to accepting that there were irregularities in these appointments. Under these circumstances, how can the minister continue to be in office?” he questioned.
He observed that the entire case looks to be very complex, and not as simple as it appears to be. It seems the issue has larger ramifications, the bench observed, before adjourning the hearing to Thursday September 9. It also directed minister, Ramachandra Gowda, to file an affidavit, clarifying what decisions had been taken by the governing councils of these colleges as regards the appointment of these candidates.
Additional advocate general, Nataraj, placing his arguments on behalf of the state, said that prima facie, it was observed that some rules had been violated including roster system, while appointing the petitioners. He said that a committee headed by the additional chief secretary, which was formed to look into the issues, is likely to submit its report on Tuesday. He added that the government will clarify its stand once this report is received by it.
Giving examples, he said that while calling for applications for these jobs, not much publicity was given, and instead of issuing advertisements through the media, they were posted on the website. He argued that C and D grade employees can not be expected to go through the website. He also noted that instead of calling the candidates at the ratio of 1:3 as per the state recruitment rules, the ratio of candidates called for the interview was as high as 1:10.
Commenting on the development, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, R V Deshpande, has urged the Chief Minister (CM) to immediately drop minister for medical education, Ramchandra Gowda, from the ministry, as he is involved with the recruitment scam. “The preliminary report prepared by the chief secretary has pointed out violation of 12 rules. Why then does the CM require report from another official?” he questioned.