1 hr ago
KPSC Probe Chief’s Appointment Draws Scrutiny Over Political Ties
The Karnataka Public Service Commission, or KPSC, faced allegations about problems in hiring veterinary officers.
It created a committee led by Shakuntala Dundigoudar to examine the allegations.
Some records and officials have raised questions about how she was chosen for the KPSC.
A reform panel had recommended making the commission smaller and setting stronger qualifications for some members.
Instead, the government expanded the commission and appointed Dundigoudar as its only new member in that notification.
She had previously been a director and shareholder in a construction company owned by her husband.
Her husband later rejoined the BJP, which led to questions about political connections.
He denied that his company received special treatment.
The KPSC ended its own committee after the police investigation was transferred to the CID.
Shakuntala Dundigoudar was appointed to lead a KPSC probe into alleged recruitment irregularities involving 400 veterinary officers.
Her appointment as a KPSC member followed a decision to expand the commission, despite a reform panel recommending it be reduced from 14 to eight members.
Dundigoudar’s directorship in her husband Shrikant’s construction company ended one day before her KPSC appointment.
Shrikant later rejoined the BJP and has denied that Bannur Infrastructures received favored contracts during Basavaraj Bommai’s tenure.
The KPSC dissolved its internal probe panel after the Karnataka government transferred the police investigation to the CID.
- Who
- Shakuntala Dundigoudar, the Karnataka Public Service Commission, her husband Shrikant Dundigoudar, and state authorities are central to the report.
- What
- The KPSC’s choice of Dundigoudar to lead an internal probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers is under scrutiny.
- Where
- The appointments and investigation concern Karnataka, including the KPSC and Shiggaon in Haveri district.
- When
- Dundigoudar was appointed as a KPSC member on March 16, 2023, and chosen to lead the probe on July 25; the panel was dissolved on July 28.
- Why
- The report examines alleged political and business connections surrounding Dundigoudar’s appointment and the decision to lead the recruitment inquiry.
Questions About the Appointment
Officials’ and Family’s Defense
Qualifications and selection
Questions About the Appointment
The report says KPSC records did not state Dundigoudar’s educational or professional qualifications, and her appointment followed an expansion that reversed a recommendation to reduce the commission’s size. A Karnataka High Court had separately criticized the appointment of unqualified people to interview qualified candidates.
Officials’ and Family’s Defense
KPSC interim chairman B Prabhudev said records showed Dundigoudar held BSc and BEd degrees, was appointed in recognition of her social service, and chaired the preliminary committee because she was the senior-most member.
Political connections
Questions About the Appointment
The timing of Dundigoudar’s appointment, her husband’s political association with Basavaraj Bommai, and his later return to the BJP raised questions about political patronage.
Officials’ and Family’s Defense
Shrikant Dundigoudar said his wife’s appointment was within the chief minister’s powers and may have reflected a desire for a woman member and regional representation from Haveri; he denied that political connections influenced the appointment.
Government contracts
Questions About the Appointment
Corporate records and Congress allegations linked Shrikant’s company to government contracts and showed a substantial rise in revenue during the period surrounding the appointment.
Officials’ and Family’s Defense
Shrikant denied that Bannur Infrastructures received favored contracts during Bommai’s tenure, saying the company had operated for more than 10 years and was being wrongly linked to the former chief minister.
Key facts
- Probe subject
- Alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers
- Probe panel date
- Shakuntala Dundigoudar was selected to lead the panel on July 25
- Panel outcome
- The KPSC dissolved the panel on July 28 after the investigation moved to the CID
- Reform recommendation
- A state reforms panel recommended reducing KPSC’s total strength from 14 to eight members
- Appointment change
- The government amended the regulation to increase the KPSC’s sanctioned strength from 14 to 16 members
- KPSC appointment
- Dundigoudar was appointed as a non-official member on March 16, 2023
- Company revenue
- Bannur Infrastructures’ reported revenue rose from about Rs 25 crore in 2021–22 to Rs 65 crore in 2022–23
Quotes
Shrikant Dundigoudar
Construction contractor and husband of KPSC member Shakuntala Dundigoudar.
“The CM has all the powers to make the appointments. Maybe the considerations were to appoint a woman member and give regional representation to Haveri district. It is a false notion that Bannur Infrastructure received contracts during Bommai’s tenure as CM. We have been doing business for over 10 years and are wrongly linked with him. He has not favoured us in any contracts.”
indianexpress.com
“As per KPSC records, she holds BSc and BEd degrees and was appointed as a non-official member in recognition of her social service. She was appointed to chair the preliminary fact-finding committee based on her seniority as a member.”
indianexpress.com
