Re-appointment in Human Rights Commission without the knowledge of the cabinet; former secretary in trouble

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A former secretary was embroiled in the direct reappointment of a retired officer in the State Human Rights Commission without prior approval of the cabinet. The retired officer was reappointed one and a half years ago by the then Secretary of the Human Rights Commission without the approval of the Finance Department and without submitting the file for consideration by the Cabinet. The appointed officer is currently a member of the personal staff of a Commission member. The former Commission Secretary is currently an officer of the rank of Special Secretary in the law department. The law department sought an explanation from him. It is indicated that the matter has come to the attention of Law Minister P Rajeev. Based on the explanation, a detailed report is proposed to be submitted by the Law Secretary to the Minister.

The retired officer was reappointed on 31st May 2021. The commission secretary had ordered a re-appointment on June 18, 2021. Prior approval of the Cabinet is required for the reappointment of retirees.

One and a half years after the appointment, now the problem came when the file came for the approval of the finance department. The Finance Department rejected the file citing irregularity. After the file was returned to the law department, it was decided, to seek an explanation from the former secretary. Based on the explanation, the new file should be scrutinized by the Law Minister and sent to the Finance Department, and submitted to the Cabinet for approval with the decision of the Finance Department. If the ex-secretary's explanation is not satisfactory, the commission may face departmental action.