Governor Arlekar Violated Supreme Court Directions on VC Appointments: CM

Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday accused Governor Rajendra Arlekar of violating Supreme Court directives in the appointment of permanent vice-chancellors to Kerala’s technical and digital universities. The Supreme Court has clearly stated that the Governor must appoint a vice-chancellor from the panel of candidates recommended by the Chief Minister in order of preference. However, the Governor rejected the entire list and appointed a person who was deemed ineligible, the Chief Minister alleged.

“This is highly unusual. How can the Governor display such blatant disregard for the Supreme Court’s directions?” Pinarayi Vijayan asked while addressing the ‘Meet the Press’ event at the Ernakulam Press Club.

The Chief Minister also termed the Enforcement Directorate’s notice to the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) “absurd,” alleging that it was a politically motivated move ahead of the elections. KIIFB, he said, was established to accelerate the state’s infrastructure development. In 2016, the government had announced its intention to implement projects worth 50,000 crore within five years, and KIIFB functioned effectively as an alternative funding mechanism.

During that period, KIIFB undertook projects amounting to 62,000 crore, and the total value of projects under KIIFB has now crossed 90,000 crore, he said. “We can say with pride that this was our achievement. Everything KIIFB carried out adhered strictly to RBI-approved guidelines. During elections, such allegations are to be expected. We will present our position firmly before the judiciary, as no rules have been violated,” the Chief Minister added.