Kerala High Court Directs State To Consider NGO’s Plea For Appointment Of Chairman Of NRI Commission

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the State to consider the plea of an NGO by the name of Pravasi Legal Cell, for appointing a new Chairman to the Non-Resident Indians (Keralites) Commission, a commission constituted for protecting the interests of Malayalis residing outside of India.

A single bench of Justice P V Kunhikrishnan has directed the Principal Secretary of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs to take a decision on the representation of the NGO within 4 months.

The Pravasi Legal Cell is an NGO comprising of retired Judges, Advocates, Social activists, Journalists and has been active for 14 years. The plea was filed through its president Adv. Jose Abraham. Their grievance was that the post of Chairperson of the NRI Commission has been vacant for the past one year. The petitioner was aggrieved by the pending disputes mounting before the Commission due to the delay in appointing a Chairman.

The representation submitted by the NGO to the State in March this year, for the appointment of a Chairman had not been considered so far, the Court noted.

“The 2nd respondent is directed to consider and take appropriate steps in Ext.P2 in accordance to law and intimate the result of the same to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.” the Court recorded in its order.

Counsel For Petitioner: Advs E Adithyan, Meera Ramesh, Aleena Jose, Mrudula Mohan

Government Pleader: Adv D Syamantak

Click here to read/download order