It's official: V S Achuthanandan is the chairman of KARC
Synopsis
Achuthanandan can enjoy cabinet rank, official residence, vehicle and personal staff He need not report to the Chief Minister Commission will give directions to the cabinet whenever necessary
Kerala cabinet on Wednesday decided to appoint former Chief Minister and Communist veteran V S Achuthanandan as the chairman of Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission (KARC) with Cabinet rank. The commission will have three members including the former Kerala CM. The other members of the commission are former Chief Secretaries Neela Gangadharan and C P Nair.
Achuthanandan will enjoy an official residence, vehicle and personal staff and need not report to the Chief Minister. Commission will facilitate smooth functioning of the cabinet by providing directions whenever needed.
However, a Public Interest Litigation questioning the credentials of the communist leader to hold the office of chairman of KARC is pending before Kerala High Court. The state government clarified that it took the decision after seeking the legal opinion.
Kerala Legislature had on 19 July cleared the bill facilitating amendments to Kerala Removal of Disqualification Act, 1951, to pave way for his appointment. The Act restricted an MLA from accepting another post and receiving salary and other benefits.
Though Achuthanandan led the party to a mega win in Kerala, CPM did not consider him for the post of Chief Minister and elected Pinarai Vijayan for the top job. Party had clarified that the decision was taken after considering the falling health and age of the nonagenarian.