Chief Minister D K Shivakumar during the media interaction. Still extracted from the supplied video.
Bengaluru: Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said he was consulting experts on the possibility of closing the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) within the legal framework, alleging that irregularities at the recruitment body had increased.
Speaking to reporters after KEONICS’ 50th foundation day programme on Tuesday, Shivakumar also welcomed the High Court’s direction for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the KPSC scandal, but said the state government should have been allowed to appoint the investigating officers.
“Scandals in KPSC have increased. I am discussing with experts the possibility of closing it within the legal framework,” he said, according to the supplied press statement.
CM alleges misconduct at KPSC
Shivakumar alleged that people entrusted with responsibilities at the commission had betrayed that trust. Accusing members of running the institution like a “shop”, he said state police had collected documents and that the facts would come out.
His remarks set out a proposal under discussion with experts; he did not announce a decision to close the commission.
Welcomes SIT probe, seeks say in officer selection
Shivakumar said the Enforcement Directorate was also investigating the matter and defended the work being done by the state police. The court could have supervised the police investigation if necessary, he said.
“The court directing an SIT investigation is fine. But the state government should have been given the freedom to appoint the investigating officers,” he said.
He said he had received calls from Delhi and other states on the issue and would seek the views of legal experts.
Candidates’ future is the priority, he says
Shivakumar said protecting the future of young people was the government’s priority. He said Siddaramaiah had reduced the number of KPSC members during his tenure for that reason.
Officials selected with trust and an expectation of transparency should not engage in such conduct, he said.
Recalling his tenure as Energy Minister, Shivakumar said he had filled 22,000 lineman and engineer posts and had exercised particular care during recruitment. He alleged that a corrupt practice involving blank papers had existed earlier, but said he had not allowed it during that exercise.
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Atul Chaturvedi 
