Kumaraswamy challenges Shivakumar's proposal to shut down KPSC

Bengaluru, Sept 23 : Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday questioned the proposal to shut down the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), arguing that alleged irregularities by individuals should not be a reason to dismantle the recruitment body.

His remarks came after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the government was consulting legal experts on whether KPSC could be closed within the existing legal framework following allegations of irregularities in recruitment.

Kumaraswamy said the focus should instead be on identifying those responsible for appointing officials and allowing alleged irregularities to occur within the commission.

"The KPSC organisation is fine. Only bad people have come and sat down. The fence is grazing the field. Who appointed the officials there? Who allowed the collection shop to open?" he asked.

He questioned whether accountability should also be fixed on those who appointed the officials and supervised the functioning of the commission.

"If that is the case, the Vidhana Soudha itself should be closed," Kumaraswamy said, referring to the government machinery responsible for administration and appointments.

His comments came amid an investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers. The Karnataka High Court has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar, to probe the matter.

Kumaraswamy urged the Chief Minister to understand the structure, functioning, constitutional safeguards and history of KPSC before considering its closure.

"Before you speak irresponsibly, find out what KPSC is, what its structure and nature are, what constitutional protections it has, and the path that the institution has taken and its achievements," he said.

The Union Minister said that if individuals were found responsible for wrongdoing, they should be identified and action taken against them rather than dismantling the entire commission.