TNPSC recruitments come under scanner

Close on the heels of conducting searches on the premises of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Chairman and 13 Members, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) will seek original selection list, answer sheets and other documents pertaining to the recruitment of candidates to various posts, including Group I services, in 2010-11.

According to agency sources, documents were seized from the residences of a majority of Members during the day-long searches on Friday. Besides answer sheets and unofficial selection list, the police also found diaries that contained registration numbers of candidates along with the names of those who had recommended their selection. The seizures included unaccounted cash and the copy of a letter written by a Member to the former Chief Minister requesting that he be appointed to the TNPSC. The letter also had a “favourable” endorsement made by the then Finance Minister, the sources said.

According to a DVAC official, an investigation was launched based on specific allegations of malpractice in the recruitment of candidates to the posts of Assistant Dental Surgeon, Group-I Services, Village Administrative Officer (VAO), Motor Vehicles Inspector (Grade-II) etc.

After prima facie evidence was made out, a case was registered against the persons concerned and searches carried out.

“We will write to the TNPSC calling for the original answer sheets of candidates selected to various posts. It has to be seen whether there was tampering of answer sheets or any other malpractice. The objective is to see whether any ineligible or undeserving candidate got appointment by fraudulent means,” the official said.

DVAC to examine candidates whose details were found with TNPSC members

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) will examine candidates whose names/registration numbers were found in the possession of members of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) whose premises were raided on Friday, agency sources said on Tuesday.

According to senior official in the DVAC, a bunch of hall tickets, registration numbers and names of candidates who had applied for various positions advertised by the TNPSC, including Group-I services, were found at the residences of several members.

“We will summon the candidates concerned and enquire how their details were in the possession of the members. If any of these candidates were found to have been selected for recruitment, the corruption angle will have to be looked into. The telephone/mobile phone call details of the persons involved may be analysed.”

Case against member

The Royapettah police on Tuesday registered a case against TNPSC member K.K. Raaja under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act. Deputy Superintendent of Police and Investigation Officer S.M. Mohamed Iqbal said that the DVAC gave a report to the local police while handing over 23 bottles of foreign liquor seized from the residence of the accused.

Investigators checked a locker of one of the members, K.M. Ravi, in a private financial institution on R.K. Salai and found 180 sovereigns of gold jewellery. “We have taken note of the gold jewels kept in the locker as part of the investigation,” a DVAC official said.

About 800 documents seized during searches in the residence/office of the TNSPC Chairman and members were submitted before a special court on Tuesday.

The full Commission on July 13, 2011, had passed a resolution restraining TNPSC Secretary T. Udhayachandran from carrying out routine duties.

According to an official source, the content of the resolution adopted against the IAS officer is as follows…“Not to interact with, meet, approach, entertain or seek information or data or any other material from or otherwise deal with any official or person in his capacity as Secretary of the Commission and he shall not attend any meeting on behalf of the Commission, including the meeting convened by the government, and shall not give any reply or explanation to any petitioner.”

Accusing the Secretary of “improper style of functioning and clear breach of office discipline” within days of his taking charge, the Commission also wrote to the State government expressing lack of confidence in him thereby seeking his transfer, the source said.

The case against the TNPSC Chairman and members is based on a complaint lodged by Mr. Udhayachandran to the Chief Secretary stating that he had no access to any document relating to recruitments.