Row over plum posting for Unnithan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government decision to appoint Congress spokesperson Rajmohan Unnithan as chairman of the state film development corporation (KSFDC) has raised many an eyebrow.
It is learnt that minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has conveyed the decision to corporation chairman Sabu Cherian, who was appointed by former minister K B Ganesh Kumar.
"Such appointments will set a wrong precedence. Appointing someone who has nothing to do with films or film industry will neither help the industry nor the corporation," CPM leader and former culture minister MA Baby said.
Unnithan’s appointment is learnt to have been made under pressure from the party, as the leader has been a voracious defender of the government in public domain. Former Chalachitra Academy chairman S Priyadarshan, who was also handpicked by Ganesh, had left the post earlier without seeking an extension. Former IFFK artistic director Bina Paul had also ended her association with the academy reportedly following differences with the government.
Cherian, meanwhile, holds the credit of turning the corporation profitable after 14 years. It stood 29th among the 95 public enterprises in profits last year, from the 76th spot earlier.
However, the government cannot be said to be at fault technically, as the corporation is seen more as a commercial body. "There is no harm in appointing anyone. However, posting a person closely associated with the industry will be in its best interests," former additional chief secretary (cultural affairs) Sajan Peter said.