T’puram: The public service commission (PSC) will challenge the state information commission’s order directing it to disclose records related to the controversial recruitment to the state planning board under RTI while withholding the written exam and interview marks of candidates. On July 6, the information commission had directed PSC to furnish the records sought by the complainant within seven days. PSC rejected the candidate’s request and later informed him that it would file an appeal against the commission’s order.PSC’s recruitment process came under scrutiny amid allegations that 10 questions were left unevaluated while preparing the rank list and that a leader associated with a Left-backed organization secured the top rank. The allegations triggered widespread concerns over the transparency and fairness of the selection process.Despite issuing a statement a day after the information commission issued its order and reiterating its commitment to maintaining the confidence of job aspirants, PSC informed the complainant that it could not disclose the written exam and interview marks of candidates for the chief instructor post at the current stage of the recruitment, though the disputed rank list has been kept in abeyance pending investigation.PSC’s internal vigilance wing and the crime branch (CB) are investigating the recruitment case. With appointments unlikely until both probes are completed, PSC’s decision to withhold the records has intensified criticism over its transparency. CB had already sought documents related to the recruitment from PSC and the question is whether the organization will take a similar stand while responding to investigators.Meanwhile, the special investigation team (CB-SIT) led by IG Ajeetha Begum is continuing its investigation into alleged irregularities in PSC recruitments. SIT has received 20 complaints till date, with the initial enquiry focusing on Kerala Administrative Service and state planning board exams. SIT, which is recording the statements of complainants, will decide on registering criminal cases after examining its preliminary findings. The DGP has already directed SIT to maintain confidentiality and submit its preliminary report at the earliest.
