Kerala Assembly | LDF-UDF into wordy duel over Mayor's purported letter on appointments
The Hindu
State Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh claimed that there have been nearly two lakh appointments via the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC)
The first day of the Kerala Assembly's seventh session saw the UDF opposition alleging large-scale back-door appointments in local bodies across the State based on a letter allegedly written by Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor and sought her resignation, while the ruling Left front denied the allegations and termed them as "falsehoods."
The UDF sought adjournment of the House proceedings to discuss the issue raised by it, but the demand was rejected by the Assembly based on the explanations provided by State Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh who claimed that all permanent and temporary appointments have been made via the Public Service Commission or the Employment Exchange.
Mr. Rajesh contended that in the last six years of Left rule in the State, there have been nearly two lakh appointments via the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) which was more than most States of the country.
He said that in the last year, over 68,000 people have been appointed through the Employment Exchange and therefore, opposition claims that exchange and the PSC were mere spectators to the alleged back-door appointments was "falsehoods" and "false propaganda" being spread by them.
Mr. Rajesh also termed as "fake" the letter allegedly written by Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor Arya Rajendran to the district leadership of CPI(M) seeking names of party cadres to be appointed on contract in the civic body.
"In view of the explanations provided by the Minister, the motion to adjourn the House proceedings to discuss the issue raised is rejected," Speaker A N Shamseer said.
However, during the walkout speech by the Leader of Opposition (LoP) V D Satheesan, some remarks from the side of the Left front prompted several UDF MLAs to leave their seats and troop into the well of the House shouting slogans demanding resignation of the Mayor who purportedly wrote the letter in question.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.