Union Ministry Directs Cochin Port Authority to Probe Alleged Irregular Appointments

By Admin

14 Oct, 2025

The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has recently stepped in to address concerns regarding alleged irregularities in appointments and promotions at the Cochin Port Authority (CoPA). The Ministry has directed CoPA to take appropriate action, following reports that certain appointments violated established recruitment rules.

The controversy centers around the appointment of C P Rajeev as the CoPA welfare officer, who was later promoted to senior welfare officer. Investigations revealed that Rajeev lacked the mandatory social science qualification required under the Dock Workers Act and the Cochin Port Employees (Recruitment, Seniority and Promotion) Regulations. This discrepancy has raised serious questions about compliance with statutory recruitment norms.

According to the Ministry’s order, “Since the matter pertains to Cochin Port Authority, CoPA is requested to look into the matter and take necessary action.” This directive emphasizes the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the administration of port authorities across India.

The alleged irregularities came to light when the Cochin Port Employees Sangh submitted multiple complaints to the CoPA chairperson. Despite repeated alerts, no corrective action was taken, prompting the matter to be escalated to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and subsequently to the Ministry of Shipping.

The Ministry’s intervention underscores the importance of adherence to established rules in appointments and promotions within port authorities. By directing CoPA to conduct a thorough investigation, the Ministry aims to maintain integrity in public service appointments and ensure that regulatory standards are not compromised.

As the investigation unfolds, employees, stakeholders, and the public will be closely watching CoPA’s actions to restore trust and accountability in the authority’s recruitment and promotion processes.