CPI(M) mollifies Achuthanandan with cabinet rank position

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala’s CPI(M)-led LDF government appointed veteran Marxist leader and former chief minister VS Achuthanandan the chairman of the Administrative

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala’s CPI(M)-led LDF government appointed veteran Marxist leader and former chief minister VS Achuthanandan the chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARS) with cabinet rank on Wednesday.

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The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Apart from having Achutanandan at its helm, the newly set-up commission will have former chief secretaries CP Nair and Neela Gangadharan as members, an official release said.

The decision comes after the LDF government introduced the Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualifications) Amendment Bill in the state Assembly last month to ensure that an elected MLA does not attract any disqualification even if he takes charge of such a post.

The opposition Congress had criticised the move saying it would further burden the state’s ‘Consolidated Fund’.