YC urges Kerala Governor not to approve State govt. nominee as PSC member

Youth Congress State president O. J. Janeesh has demanded that Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar refrain from approving the State Cabinet’s recommendation to appoint I. Shihabuddeen as a member of the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC), citing serious corruption allegations against him.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, Mr. Janeesh alleged that Mr. Shihabuddeen is facing accusations of accepting bribes from boat owners in connection with granting permits. He claimed that the affected boat owners had directly lodged complaints with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against Mr. Shihabuddeen, stating that they were deceived in the process.

“Appointing a person who is accused of taking bribes and acting without any moral integrity as a PSC member is a challenge to a constitutional institution,” Mr. Janeesh said, adding that the government’s move to recommend his name despite being aware of these allegations is highly questionable, especially in the final phase of its tenure.

The Youth Congress has urged the Governor not to sign on the appointment, arguing that such a decision would undermine the credibility of the PSC.

Mr. Janeesh also criticised the government’s decision to raise the upper age limit for PSC examinations to 40, calling it misleading and unfair to existing job aspirants. He pointed out that while the age limit has been increased, appointments from current rank lists are not being carried out nor are expiring rank lists being extended.

According to him, the revised age limit benefits only future applicants who will write upcoming examinations, offering no relief to candidates already included in existing rank lists. He further alleged that the move is a political attempt to appease youth ahead of elections and to justify a future increase in the retirement age under the cover of the revised age criteria.