End of the road for PJ Thomas

Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
05 Mar 2011

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Supreme Court verdict quashing PJ Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) will not only take away the much-coveted post from him, but may also see an end to his civil service career.

Thomas, who attained the retirement age of 60 in January this year, was appointed CVC in September last. Hence he got nearly four years of extension in service. The term of the CVC is for four years from the date of appointment or until 65, whichever is earlier.

Meanwhile, sources point out that as per the Central Vigilance Commission Act even if there is a directive of the Supreme Court, the President is the only competent authority to remove a person from the post of CVC. But since the SC has quashed the very appointment of P J Thomas as the CVC, there is no question of expelling him from the post, it is pointed out.

Ineligible for any Government job

The Act also says that a person who had held the post of CVC will be ineligible for any further appointment, including that of any diplomatic assignment or employment to any office of profit under the State or Central Governments.

PJ Thomas, an IAS officer of 1973 batch, had held various sensitive posts in the state as well as in the Centre. Prior to his appointment as the CVC, P J Thomas was serving as the Telecom Secretary at the Centre. He had served as the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (Higher Education) and Chief Electoral Officer in Kerala.