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Kochi: The Thrissur Vigilance Court has issued a notice to the Kerala Government’s Law Officer seeking details of the appointment of Gijo Joseph as the CEO of Infopark, Kochi. The court issued the order on November 03, 2011 while considering a petition alleging irregularities and political intervention in the CEO’s appointment. Gijo appointment was announced on May 10, 2011, at the fag end of the LDF government, with just four days remaining for the Assembly election results.

The petitioner alleged that Sebastian Paul, former MP and then MLA, and the Additional Chief Secretary had influenced the then Chief Minister, Shri V S Achuthanandan, who also held the IT portfolio, to bypass the norms to favour the appointment of Gijo, who is a relative of Sebastian Paul. Gijo was working with Infosys in Trivandrum as a Group Project Manager for the last four years. Gijo has taken leave from Infosys to join Infopark.

Government Chief Whip, P C George had also, on October 06, 2011, demanded a vigilance enquiry into the appointment of Gijo Joseph as the CEO of Infopark, Kochi. He had accused V S Achuthanandan of showing favouritism by toppling Kishor R Pillai, who came first in the selection committee’s list, to accommodate Gigo. According to George, Kishore, who is a VP with UST Global, was pushed out of the race on the grounds that his application was received late even as the minutes of the selection committee showed that all the applications were received within the stipulated time.

It was in September 2010 that the Department of IT advertised for a CEO for Infoparks, Kochi and Koratty long with the upcoming parks at Cherthala and Ambalapuzha. About 100 applications were received, out of which 12 professionals were short listed by the selection committee.

Meanwhile doubts are also being raised about Infosys’ role in this issue as there are reports that Infosys, which usually gives only one year sabbatical, went out of the way to give Gijo two years break to take up this posting.

Kerala IT News